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The Importance of Art in Advertising
Guest Blog by: Ricardo Burks
“We first see with our eyes and our brain processes imagery before we read type.”
-Avery Sohn
Da Vinci’s Flying Machine schematics
Art is finicky. It can be the most exhilarating thing or it could miss the mark for someone entirely. That being said art holds value in our daily lives. Without art, the Earth would just be meh. Cringing jokes out of the way, art does give meaning to life. Imagine a world without colors. What would a summer look like without a major blockbuster at the cinema? Better yet, what would life look like without the great artist whose ideas became real? Da Vinci’s schematics for the flying machine is a prime example.
Granted it might have not made it off the ground, but he did create an idea that would be extended and molded until it became a real life contraption.
However art when it comes to advertising is seen as this negative thing to some folks. Some folks tend to believe that when it comes to advertising, art is forced to become this impure idea that diminishes the value of the art. Industry professionals have a different take on the notion. Deborah Racono, an art director and advertising professor at Temple University, said that art serves as an “inspiration to advertising”. This is abundantly clear when professionals are asked to list some of their favorite artists. Classics like Claude Monet and Van Gogh are brought up but also switch hitters like Ray and Charles Eames who are architects at heart. Even if these artists were contacted to draw up an ad, it would still be tasteful as art and advertising share a special dance.
Claude Monet’s Weeping Willow
The Artist Waltz
Advertising is about sharing an idea to the world so you can make a sale. With that in mind, a client has to choose the right artist for the job so that it can still be pure. That is what’s really going to stick in people’s heads. The artist has to then make sure that they communicate the ideas well and build a strong case for your vision and why it works. It needs to be strategic. It needs to hit all of the communication objects and there has to be a reason why the designer chose a certain color and not just because they don’t like that shade of purple.
Yet, we all know a good piece of creative when we see it. Despite being subjective, sales and the emotions an audience feels when viewing a piece of art, whether it be a timeless piece or the Tide ad commercials, are key indicators are how successful a piece can be. One professional mentioned that even if an ad doesn’t sell directly translate to sales, the ad can still be successful if it was a clever piece of creative. As long as the creative leaves a lasting emotional connection, it may influence the later purchasing decisions of the consumer due to it always being in the back of your head.
Advertisements can definitely be considered art. The goal of it is to share our ideas to do something. If that isn’t art, I don’t know what is.
Elephant by Charles and Ray Eames
S2E9: Chris Heck|Fun and Impactful
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About This Episode:
This episode we chat with Chris Heck, President of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball organization. Chris expresses his view on the power of story and the need to integrate it into the brand. “Brand is a representation of a bigger story.” Chris shares his views on how we need to capture people’s attention and ensure the stories we tell are relatable and authentic
The Sixers are much more than a sports team – as an innovative brand that gives back, they’ve raised over $1M for their youth foundation and every employee commits 76 hours to volunteer a year.
The Sixers story continues to evolve as it embraces the legacy of its past with the promise of its future – and the future is now!
While Chris admits the Sixers are a cool brand and working in the organization is fun – the real story is about the impact they are making in their city and their community.
Mentions:
Sixers
Sixers Youth Foundation Gala
Connect with Chris Heck:
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S2E8: Jen Groover|One-Woman Brand
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About This Episode:
This week we talk with Jen Groover, successful serial entrepreneur, author and thought leader in human potential.
Learn about how Jen developed her entrepreneurial mind and spirit. We talk about how important it is to connect the dots and invite people into your story to walk alongside you throughout your journey. Jen shares the importance of emotional connection and how it can be used to surpass the competition by telling stories that connect you with your audience.
As a successful serial entrepreneur, performance coach and retired National Level Fitness Competitor, Jen Groover has been a highly sought after speaker and trainer for over 20 years.
Jen has been a top business and lifestyle contributor and content creator for major television networks such as ABC, CBS, CNBC, NBC, MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Business News, and the The CW. Jen also contributes editorial pieces to several prominent business magazines and online resources including The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal
She is launching her second book this fall, “The MORE Method: The Simple Formula to Get More of Everything Good in Life”.
CONNECT WITH JEN
What If? & Why Not?
Tedx
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Stop and Smell the Photo Op
I have had an interest in photography since I was pretty young. I even won a photography contest in high school (true story).
(Left: Here’s the photo that was voted the favorite from the school community.)
I later went on to serve as the photography editor for my college newspaper. I was fortunate to learn and engage in the old school processing of negatives and printing photographs with smelly chemicals in a dark room. Effects such a double exposures or filters on images were often cumbersome and difficult- time consuming and rewarding.
Now I am proud to call myself a Google Trusted photographer and I focus on the power of visual content in my work life.
While I am not a traditional ‘professional’ photographer, I still enjoy snapping images to share on social media and with family and friends.
With the rapid growth of social media and the fact that almost everyone carries a camera around in their pocket in the form of a smartphone – everyone is now a photographer.
There has been a shift in the ease with which people can capture a moment in time. Of course, just because everyone can take photographs, doesn’t mean they should take (and share) photographs. While social media has catapulted individuals that may never had the opportunity to showcase their photographic talents, there are now billions of images are shared – 24/7, 365.
Has the incredible volume of users taking and sharing images hurt the standard expected of photographs being shared? Are people thoughtful about what they decide to snap and share?
I believe my amateur photography skills have been diminished due to the fast paced, instant gratification, multi-tasking nature of recent times. Often, we don’t even stop long enough to capture the moment – we are simply too busy.
Capturing a moment in time is powerful in photography. Photography allows us to capture and freeze a moment so it can be referred to at another time and repeatedly. With much of life being ephemeral, images in time let us remember and relive history or provide a window into a life we have not experienced first hand.
Personally, having photographs of loved ones from that past is a way for me to connect with their memory and keep them in my life.
My wife Nita is a wonderful photographer. She has a keen eye and a creative mind – which is a good combination for a photographer to have. Part of her talent lies in her natural curiosity and her incredible patience (which continues to come in handy as we raise our three kids).
Despite the advent of digital photography and the snap happy culture of Instagram, there are still many times when we think to take a picture and then let the moment pass. There are always distractions.
Have you ever had the experience of driving in some picturesque place and seeing a beautiful vista and thought – we should stop and snap a picture? How often do we actually pull over and do so?
This past summer I found myself in this exact situation – driving on a country road in northeast Pennsylvania. I was headed home and still had quite a drive. As I glanced out at the countryside, I didn’t think too much of the beautiful landscape. That was until I drove down a hill and stole a glimpse of a pond to my left.
Although it was likely only seconds, there was a conversation in my mind – wow – that’s an incredible reflection in that pond. I should pull over and stop and get a picture of that. You now what? I am going to pull over.
I pull over and walked up the side of the road to the edge of the pond. It was worth stopping. There was a moment in time, when the sun was shining onto the pond resulting in a stunning and blinding reflection. It created a mirror effect in the landscape in the water…. Snap. Snap. Snap.
It could have been a “postcard” picture. In my reverie I didn’t notice that the owner of the property had come down from the house and was now standing beside me. He asked what I was doing and I explained. I told him how I had caught the view as I was driving past and wanted to stop and capture the moment. He seemed a little dubious, but as I showed him the images on my iPhone, he nodded in understanding.
I offer this story as a metaphor for one’s life. We all rush through life, and while we are not always driving down a country road, there are many opportunities to pull over and stop. It may lead to capturing a beautiful moment.
One of my guiding beliefs, that I reference often, is that we regret the things we don’t do much more than those we do. The next time you find yourself having that internal conversation, I hope you listen to the voice that encourages you to indulge your curiosity and take action.
Happy holidays!!
Interested in why STORY MATTERS and creating compelling content for your marketing? Contact Geoffrey at Geoffrey@ninedotsmedia.com or call 267.999.9149
Want to find out more about nine dots, check out our website.
S2E7: Jim Rutenberg|Absolute Truth
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About This Episode:
This week we talk with Jim Rutenberg, Media Columnist and former political correspondent for the New York Times.
We learn how at its core, investigative journalism is about connecting the dots. We hear about how the dots connect evidence to reveal the truth. Jim shares views about the recent headline story of Michael Cohen and the hush money paid to two women on behalf of a very public figure. As Jim points out, just as story can build you up, the unravelling of a story can bring you down…
More importantly we discuss the skills and attributes including interest and excitement, curiosity, passion, care and authenticity- that make for good storytelling.
Can anyone tell a good story? We believe so.
Mentions:
New York Times
Connect with Jim Rutenberg:
Twitter
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E-mail Geoffrey
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S2E6: Michael Heppell |How to be Brilliant
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About This Episode:
In this week’s podcast, we meet Michael Heppell- professional speaker and personal life coach, author and life-long learner. Michael talks about his life’s journey and the many influential people who have guided him and carved his journey. We hear how his experiences and the connections he has made over the years enhance the way he inspires and brings positive attitude to each and every day.
Michael’s mission was to positively influence 1,000,000 lives. Having already achieved it, he is now committed to positively influence everyone he interacts with.
Mentions:
How to Be Brilliant
Michael’s Books
Michael Heppell Website
Connect with Michael Heppell:
Twitter
Facebook
Connect with nine dots:
E-mail Geoffrey
nine dots Media
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