Final LogoI’m …

Final Logo

I’m pretty stoked about this final logo. It is much better than the original and conveys more of the idea I wanted. The proportions may or may not be perfect. The class critiques were helpful, and emphasized a lot of the same things I wanted to change. 

On this one, I chose two simple swatches for a gradient and made my circular background. I chose these colors to represent the earth in some sense, but kept it simple with one side blue and the other green. Blue and green are also very representative of where I grew up in West Seattle, WA, right near the Puget Sound (blue) in the evergreen state (green).

Next, I used the tool that cuts the front layer out to make the shape of two microphones facing opposite directions. I like the idea of using negative space much better than my initial logo idea. This route keeps it much simpler and would be easy to transfer to any type of media. As I explained in my original post, the microphones represent my love for recording and performing music and using my voice in general.

I experimented with some artist effects, and while I liked how some of them looked, they made the design much less adaptable in my eyes and less easy to use. I like the simplicity of the design now the most, based around a circle.

I think outside of class I will continue to toy with this logo idea and refine it further until it might be something I’d like to really use. This will take some more experience with illustrator to make exactly what I’d like. I’d also love to try to make one out of a broadcaster/studio microphone though I haven’t quite figured out how to conceptualize that yet, much less translate it into illustrator. 

I’ve enjoyed using illustrator a lot and would like to spend more time attempting to design logos. Logos are very powerful to me in the role they play for branding companies. Symbols can sometimes convey more than words!

_brodie / brodcast

 

Rough Draft Logos

 

Hammer Time

Thomas Hammer video project by Daniel Estep, Patrick McGinnis, and Brodie Peterson.

ESPN under fire regarding abuse case

In the past few months that have been huge sports stories regarding respected collegiate programs and sexual abuse cases.   First there was the atrocious story from Penn State’s football program and now there are new allegations against Syracuse University’s assistant coach Bernie Fine, who is under investigation for sexual abuse of a Syracuse ball boy years ago.  ESPN, who brings us every news story in sports, were quick to report the news about the Penn State scandal and have kept everyone up to date with what has happened in that case.  ESPN has even made remarks about the case and their personal feelings on the story.  However, now it seems that ESPN as well as the Post-Standard were aware of Fine’s alleged misconduct and did nothing about it (the same thing they criticized Joe Paterno for at Penn St.).  I find it interesting that ESPN was so one sided (as we all were) on an issue that they are now dealing with as well. It certainly makes you wonder what the media is telling us and what they actually know.  Stay critical.  Check out the story here .

Composed by Patrick

Is The Clone Wars aimed at kids?

Image courtesy of StarWars.com

It is a great time to be a Star Wars fan. With the 2005 release of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas finished his grand space epic which spanned nearly three decades in the making. Many believed that Star Wars would be finished once the final piece of the saga was released, but only three years later another facet of the expanding universe began, Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

First released as a theatrical movie stringing the first four episodes of an upcoming animated show together, this new venture into the galaxy featured familiar as well as new characters. It is a show that is aimed toward a younger fan base than either the fans that grew up with the original trilogy or fans that grew up with the prequel trilogy.

With that in mind, the creators of the show have created some really dark content as the series has progressed. Currently in the fourth season, the show has shown death on a scale not seen in the feature films, and has grappled with issues regarding morality of the troops in blindly following orders and the nature of the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker.

This is pretty heavy stuff for kids to be digesting.

The latest story arc involved four clone-centric episodes set on an alien planet under a new, incredulous Jedi general. In the show the clones are still the good guys fighting the war against the Separatists in the name of the Republic. Throughout the arc, the clone troopers question their duty as soldiers and the morality of obeying an order even when the order is wrong.

Once again, very heavy stuff for kids to be watching.

The orders the clones are given come from a new Jedi general who plays things very by-the-book, but has little regard for the lives of his men. In the final act of the arc, the general orders the clones into a friendly-fire situation where clone troopers on the same side believe each other to be the enemy.

The psychology of this is astounding. When troopers die, it’s the clones that survive who must live with the realization that every “brother” killed is wearing his same face. In the friendly-fire instance, each clone is essentially shooting his “brother” as these clones are more family than squad mate.

The Clone Wars is a show that is aimed at kids, but doesn’t shy away from tough subjects. It is war after all.

To catch one of the most dynamic television shows check out Star War: The Clone Wars, which airs on Cartoon Network Friday nights.

Post by Daniel Estep

Controversial Ads…

Advertising has become completely ubiquitous. Everywhere we look, more and more of the empty space in our cities is filling up with advertising. From billboards and newspapers, advertising has expanded to dominate television and more. At times we even see ads flying across the sky attached to planes!Check out this blog on controversial advertising and see where you stand.

I like these types of adverts because they are very creative and therefore easy to remember. I think that society needs controversial adverts (in limit to sexual content and aggression because the advertisment world will be more imaginative and colourful.

Do you think controversial ads are effective? Are they ethical? Where is the line drawn?

Composed by brodie.

Slim Fast Ad

In a clever photo, Slim Fast is making it known that being overweight is not acceptable in society. The ad capitalizes on the premise that women fantasize about looking a certain way. Men, on the other hand, are depicted as the perfect gentlemen.

This ad is preying upon women who are looking in the mirror and think that they are not the perfect, ideal figure. Social media and celebrities have much to do with the growing concerns about weight problems and looking up to a certain image of beauty. Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but in this ad for the company, being overweight is not a beautiful thing.

Stay Critical.

Post by Daniel Estep

Video: Murrow Center for Health and Media Promotion discusses media affects on youth

In the past, the Edward R. Murrow Center for Media and Health Promotion has researched the effects of media on youth drug and alcohol abuse and will begin researching youth nutrition choices and obesity.

For more information on the center, click here.

By Tallie Mattson and Emily Smudde

Music: “A for Apathy” by Viola

Traces of Arsenic found in bottled juice

In a recent study researchers have found large amounts of arsenic, a chemical, in bottled juices created a cause for concern from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).  The study states that 10% of juices has higher arsenic level than the FDA’s standard for drinking water.  The Consumer Union is concerned about the potential risks of these toxins and are urging the FDA to do something about it.  While this issue continues to be researched, this is now creating a level of concern among consumers.  If increased research continues to prove high levels of arsenic in juices, is it possible we will see a decrease in juice sales?  Moreover, how often do we see media stories surrounding faulty products have a direct effect on the success of those products.  It will be interesting to how juice sales will be affected from this specific news story.  You can read more and watch the video at Yahoo: Arsenic in Juice

Composed by Patrick

Nike Print Ads That Boosted Income

Nike is notorious for spending large amounts of money on its ad campaigns. One of its ads cost more than $2 million for only a one minute and thirty second commercial. Nike also likes to play with themes and colors in their ads, highlighting the product of choice to make it stand out.

These 35 print ads helped boost Nike’s income. Can you tell why?

                 

Click here to see more ads.

Stay Critical.

Post by Daniel Estep

Article: Free Thinking… Ask “Why?”

Critical thinking is based on a commitment to asking “why?”. Blogger Scott Berkun wrote this article on How To Be A Free Thinker. The article focuses on free thinking and how to separate from things that block this practice…

Even under the guise of what we comically call education, most of us, most of the time, are taught to copy. To memorize. To understand someone elses’s theories. What are we being trained for in life by this other than to perform these same thoughtless behaviors when we graduate?
…
It’s un-free thinking, this accepting of an idea simply because someone else said so. If the reasons are so good, they should do well in debate and discussion on their merits, shouldn’t they? Nothing should be beyond discussion.

Berkun offers two questions for the free, critical thinker to always ask:

The beginning of wisdom starts with asking two questions. Why do we believe what we believe? And how we know what we know? They should be stamped on every school book, in every meeting place and in every home where independence of mind and free thinking are advocated.

These questions are valuable tools for the critical thinker. Always ask why.

Read the full article here.

Composed by brodie.