99 replies to this topic

[PsychoBeano]

sure... what poster was yours? I'm always up for giving a constructive critique to those who will listen.

Mine was the last one; number 9

[mmetz]

Mine was the last one; number 9

ok here goes an honest critique on No.9. I won't slam your effort but I will be honest.

Some positive notes: the poster is clear and clean and you don't use any unnecessary elements.

The photo-illustration you use does show a nice car; however, it does not draw your eye through the poster. I'm a big fan of white-space but the area of black-top in the image gets too much attention. When taking the time to produce a photo illustration [a say illustration because it is obvious the white car was not there originally] you want to be sure to clean up the image as much as possible [especially when the image is the hero of the poster] — For example looking at yours you should be removing power lines, telephone poles, twigs on the ground, bits of trash on the ground... and when introducing an image that wasn't there originally make sure its lighting/shadows match its new home. In a real photo shoot some of these things are considered before the shot is taken.

The colors do not work. It is fine to use a blue ... but a blue that vibrant is physically impossible to print. Red type on a blue background [or visa versa] is a big no no. It cannot be read without causing your eye to bleed. There are specific shades/tones of blue that may work with specific shades/tones of red... but in the context of a poster that needs to be read [and possibly at a distance] you should steer clear of this combo.

Bastardizing or changing a logo is a slap in the face of the original design and the brand of the company. You didn't cross the line too far, but I would lose the checkered flag action. It doesn't make the poster better anyway.

The typography you selected was originally purposed for the volvo brand. I think it is WAY OVERUSED by members here and I would suggested using a typeface that matches or compliments the volvospeed logo [the volvospeed typeface happens to be Eurostyle — specifically Eurostyle extended].

As for the overall message... it speaks to the idea that, yes, volvos are more than soccer mom cars but it doesn't really tell the story what volvospeed is — it doesn't suck, but I think you could come up with a more original and better suited concept. Also, an image of a wagon would be more appropriate for the headline you are using.

The layout you have is a bit piecy... that is fancy talk for the layout is broken up and doesn't really guide the viewer through. You kind of have to bounce around to take in all the elements.

Hope this was helpful.


From production [this is for everyone]... your final image ready for production [assuming it is raster based since it appears most of the submissions were pshoped] should be proportionate to 300dpi at 100%. If you want the poster to be 24" x 36" it needs to be 300dpi at that size. "Blowing up" or enlarging a smaller image to the correct 300dpi image will not work. Yes, your image will be at the correct size but blowing up only dithers the image... which means the software you are using simply makes up pixels to fill information that wasn't there orignally... resulting in blurring random little boxes everywhere. Also, every poster submitted is full bleed... which means you need to have about an extra quarter inch of bleed around your final image that extends beyond the final size so the printer can trim it off. Final artwork should also be in a CMYK color format. That is a brief overview of some production basics ... follow it if you want to have decent results.

Side note... vector art can be enlarged or reduced to any size and hold a clear resolution.

[PsychoBeano]

Thanks for the critique, don't worry, I dont take anything personal like that . I know its about improving the art work and not about bringing the artist down. You pointed out some things that really helped me out.

As far as production goes, I actually did most of the work at 300dpi and then shrunk it a lot for the actual posting. For the actual logo, it wouldnt be too hard to go in there and make it a vector logo to blow it up. The logo was something I played around with a long time ago for the license plate covers we had planned on doing for the site. It's more supposed to represent the "motorsport" brand of Volvo (the little logo the Rs have) than a literal checkered flag.

Once again, thanks a lot.

[Wagon Mafia]

sure... what poster was yours? I'm always up for giving a constructive critique to those who will listen.

it's the one with the red car on his sig

[Che'_Moderator]

it's the one with the red car on his sig

Thanks Johny come lately

[BuDeKai]

I'm curious to know if you actually read the rest of the critique you requested. You are allowed to disagree with me and back up your work with valid points... it's good practice. speaking of practice... how many sketches of your poster did you produce before laying out your final option?

2, i actually sketched the car out on paper and scanned it after looking at the original. so i didnt just trace the image, i traced my recreation and if you don't believe i can do that with any amount of accuracy ill be happy to post my graphite work. i also never requested a critique to the best of my knowledge now plz let this topic die...

[mmetz]

2, i actually sketched the car out on paper and scanned it after looking at the original. so i didnt just trace the image, i traced my recreation and if you don't believe i can do that with any amount of accuracy ill be happy to post my graphite work. i also never requested a critique to the best of my knowledge now plz let this topic die...

it doesn't matter that you can sketch. it doesn't matter if I believe you. [i would in fact like to see some of your work — not to trash it, but because looking at other peoples work is something I enjoy.]

whether you drew the image is not the point — you need to understand there were plenty of other issues I found with your poster entry.

you previously posted that you were "really hoping this community would step back and look at these posters artistically". consider that you may get some answers if you whine about why another persons work was chosen over yours. by calling out others work, you put a bullseye on your own.

[Wagon Mafia]

Thanks Johny come lately

that's what happens when you don't refresh the page and hit reply

[Livvakt]

Step 1) Piss and moan and whine about how awesome your stuff was and how everyone else's sucked.

Step 2) Get called out by someone.

Step 3) Get on their nuts and question their legitimacy.

Step 4) Get called out by someone ELSE who has WAY more cred than you do and basically owns you.

Step 5) ....

Step 6) Profit???

Edited by Livvakt, 08 May 2008 - 07:36 AM.

[downunder_slangin]

what nobody likes my one,lol.#5
Good luck on the win.

[leurven]

MikeG is the WINNER! Congratulations. I have sent you a PM regarding the HID details.

[TFIVEM]

i did this in photoshop a long while back, it wasnt quick, had to select each individual item to get it the way i wanted.

you can see more of my works at

www.bowditchcreative.com and by clicking on the worded tabs along the top




Is the contest closed, i just came across it but i will happily make a poster for it. ayboy in particular want to be the poster child of volvo speed?

nevermind i see its closed.... sonobitch

[mmetz]

so I know that this is closed but I thought I'd share anyway.

a little series I threw together. enjoy or don't.

[Wagon Mafia]

i like those, i just don't like it when you abbreviated some words but they're pretty cool

i laughed my ass off at your sig though

[mmetz]

i like those, i just don't like it when you abbreviated some words but they're pretty cool

i laughed my ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD off at your sig though

thanks... abbreviated words are to represent the concept of being online or texting... admittedly that is a bit of a stretch for a forum but I wanted to get that across... plus I just liked the abbreviated type... it's interesting

i think you are the first person to notice my sig

[--Aaron--]

8's by far the best serious poster.....that one talkin about sometimes we talk about cars is 2nd....very funny lol

[Raintracks]

#4 is best.

The rest are pretty damn cheesy lol

"respect the flag" hahah c'mon man..

[gdizzle]

so I know that this is closed but I thought I'd share anyway.

a little series I threw together. enjoy or don't.

you didn't ask me permission to use my car.

[prasamin]

I don't like any of them, so I went with 6 lol.

[khax]

I don't like any of them, so I went with 6 lol.

yay

i got 4th place LOL