OK, now critique Achoo's Asthma Poster

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/22/2006 03:47:15 PM · #1

I am creating a poster for our Asthma Coalition helping to encourage people with asthma to get their flu shot. (see this thread)

Here is my first draft of the poster. I know improvements can be made. Help me figure out what they are!

My goals for the poster:
1) Message conveyed at 10 feet (the poster will be 12"x18" and in color).
2) Primarily aimed at young adults as they are the least likey to get their flu shot anyway. Children and seniors have much higher immunization rates.

Ok, go for it!

Oh, in case the 640 px makes the very bottom line too small it says, "In 2004 Influenza killed approximately 36,000 people in the United States. In the same time there were 119 deaths from West Nile, 15,798 deaths from HIV, and 16,137 homicides."

Update #2:

Message edited by author 2006-08-22 18:18:58.

fotomann_forever

08/22/2006 03:51:42 PM · #2

I'm thinking a little less negative space with larger photos and less centered text.

ralph

Nikon Z9

08/22/2006 03:52:56 PM · #3

i want the people to be proportional (child is larger than the adults)
i want the people backgrounds to be whiter
two different shapes of 'windows' hurt the design & maks the text look off centered ...

Ken

Canon EOS-7D

08/22/2006 03:54:17 PM · #4

I like the layout, colors, and message.

The one things that stands out is the flu-shot picture. The person giving the shot looks way too happy giving the unhappy person (your wife?) the shot. Seeing how unhappy she looks doesn't encourage me to get a shot. Having her smile would seem unnatural, but there must be something in between the two.

Just my quick opinion...

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

08/22/2006 03:55:53 PM · #5

Originally posted by mad_brewer:

Ha, I do have another version with Jenn smiling. It looked quite weird...

Canon EOS-60D

08/22/2006 03:58:52 PM · #6

In addition to the other suggestions...rather than say "put together," how about using the word "combined" instead? It sounds a bit less colloquial and more professional. :)

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

08/22/2006 04:00:18 PM · #7

Originally posted by laurielblack:

In addition to the other suggestions...rather than say "put together," how about using the word "combined" instead? It sounds a bit less colloquial and more professional. :)

Like it laurie!

scarbrd

Leica M10

08/22/2006 04:02:50 PM · #8

Are those the photos you want to use? The shadow on the one on the right (nurse and patient) is rather harsh.

I would consider going with a light background, maybe even do a clipping path around the people and a soft cast shadow onto the background. The soft edge oval and square aren't doing it for me.

If you want, upload the photos so I can snag them and i will layout something tonight when I get home. I can do the clipping path too.

08/22/2006 04:12:06 PM · #9

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Tell me what you mean by clipping path. You want to just select the people? I thought about that, but it always tends to be problematic around hair. Yes, the shadows are much worse on that one. I'm not quite sure why. It's possible I moved the flash away from bounce for some reason. I'm not happy with that either, but I'm not sure I'm going to get to reshoot.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/22/2006 04:14:19 PM · #10

I found another shot with a bit of a smile on Jenn that isn't too bad. The shadows are still there though...

Mulder

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/22/2006 04:16:36 PM · #11

I think the setup is great, but to me, the colors look like they are from the early 90's or something....I can just imagine this in the doctors office where posters are outdated.

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

08/22/2006 04:27:24 PM · #12

Originally posted by Mulder:

I think the setup is great, but to me, the colors look like they are from the early 90's or something....I can just imagine this in the doctors office where posters are outdated.

whatcha got in mind? It does look a bit powerpointish...but I want something that stands out a bit without being garrish...

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/22/2006 04:32:57 PM · #13

I also don't like the soft edges on the pictures, though I'm not sure why. Also, it would make more sense if the kid having asthma were the same kid getting a shot. Also, the kid has a cool retro look that should be incorporated into the flu shot umm... shot.

scarbrd

Leica M10

08/22/2006 04:36:05 PM · #14

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by scarbrd:
Are those the photos you want to use? The shadow on the one on the right (nurse and patient) is rather harsh.

I would consider going with a light background, maybe even do a clipping path around the people and a soft cast shadow onto the background. The soft edge oval and square aren't doing it for me.

If you want, upload the photos so I can snag them and i will layout something tonight when I get home. I can do the clipping path too.

Tell me what you mean by clipping path. You want to just select the people? I thought about that, but it always tends to be problematic around hair. Yes, the shadows are much worse on that one. I'm not quite sure why. It's possible I moved the flash away from bounce for some reason. I'm not happy with that either, but I'm not sure I'm going to get to reshoot.

Right, I mean dropping the background out of the photos. A clipping path would leave the background information in the file, but it would not appear in the layout program (Quark, InDesign, etc) Also, a clipping path is a postscript thing, so to proof it before you send to an offset printer (if that is what you are doing) you'd have to use Acrobat and create a PDF. If you look around to the print stock photo sites you'll things like "clipping path included". Common thing in the print industry

There are ways to get around the hair thing and it would take care of the harsh shadows.

You can do the clipping path as close as possible then fill the background with the color of the layout background. Even if it is a gradiant you can trick the eye pretty good with this.

Just a thought.

owen

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/22/2006 04:45:08 PM · #15

I think showing someone getting a shot is not appealing and could scare off the people who don't like needles. Maybe go for a positive like kids playing.

hokie

Nikon D2X

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

08/22/2006 04:45:34 PM · #16

I'm more visual so I threw together a poster idea for you rather than write a lot of stuff.

The red side plays off the blue shirt with white letters and black letters offering stark contrast and easy to read.

You have a great child shot in your original photo..perhaps you could use him in a photo where he looks at the person viewing the poster like in this shot.

Just some thoughts..hope it helps some :-)

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/22/2006 05:14:42 PM · #17

Man can you tell I have nothing to do today at work? LOL

I think this is what scarbrd is talking about except with hi-rez images. :-P

Just a quick one. hokie I like yours!

hokie

Nikon D2X

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

08/22/2006 05:26:23 PM · #18

I think most here agree that any photos you use should be as prominent as you can make them.

The idea of clipping photos or making them big and printing over them..all those will definitely make the poster stronger.

I think I see general agreement here that the headline and sub-head are most important and the subsesequent text can be less prominent until the person reading the poster gets closer...like a couple feet away.

Mulder

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/22/2006 05:45:55 PM · #19

I really like the bold looks of the last two examples. I think trying to get attention with flashy colors (like neons) seems a bit tacky. But that's just my opinion :)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/22/2006 06:09:15 PM · #20

Hokie's on the right track, IMO. Doc, forgive me for this but your attempt looks very amateurish to me... It's too "diffuse", it doesn't really have any emotional impact.

R.