Monday, April 18, 2011

Ads: Truth?


Does this make you want to enlist?



So, after much deliberation, I’ve decided to steer my project once again back in the direction of the military. Like I have stated before, I do not intend to take a specific side or stance on the subject, because I am not necessarily for or against the military’s action either way, however, I do find it a bit interesting how they advertise themselves. I do want to investigate this a bit more because I, and I’m sure many of you have seen many military commercials that try to sell their service as something straight out of a comic book or movie, thus making the viewer think just for a second or so, that life in the military can be just like that. Or, like the above image, they are entirely outrageous! I don’t believe that it works as smooth as that, and that is why im beginning to like this direction a little bit more.

The way id like to go about this project is kind of like a challenge from the show Top Chef. Among many of the ways they challenge chefs on the show, one of these ways is deconstruction. This is a method of taking one complete dish, splitting it up, and then creating an entire new dish/dishes from the original’s separated parts. I think that would be a great way to show how military ads are strengthened only by context. The final outcome of this project is still to be determined, but I do feel much more confident in my direction.

15 comments:

  1. It is great that you have so much energy and passion in this topic. I'm looking forward to seeing your final project.

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  2. I'm glad you went with this topic--I think it will be much stronger. Maybe even army strong. Har har har.

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  3. I still cringe at the "An Army of One" ad. Ugh, I hated seeing that at the theaters.

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  4. I think it is important to realize that although you may NOT want to take a side in this project I am skeptical as to whether it is possible for you to remain unbiased. Remaining completely unbiased may seem possible for you, but the outcome of your project will most likely be understood as leaning one direction or another. This image you posted is obviously one that is against military involvement. Make sure to dig deep as to what companies create the images you use, especially if they are advertisements. Companies can create ads for or against the military (and any other organization... i.e. political campaigns etc.) while making sure to mask any ulterior motives they may have (i.e. where their money comes from). Research Research Research! It will be your saving grace in trying to remain as unbiased as possible.

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  5. I agree, I am very glad you chose this project. I think also that with your reservations on taking sides it is always a safe route to have the audience focus on what you are saying about the design over content in these situations.

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  6. Your idea of taking apart the advertisements and rearranging them to reflect what the ads are supposed to showcase and why people are attracted to them is a good idea. It always seemed like you preferred this idea over the other one and I'm glad that you chose this one because I feel like the quality of work will be better and this project will spark more of your because this is something that you seem passionate about.

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  7. I like this idea too, but I also share Shanna's reservations about remaining an "unbiased" viewpoint. I think you should have a balance of final work that represents both a pro- viewpoint and an anti-viewpoint, so that way it might seem less like you're doing this for the sake of arguing either side.

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  8. This may be not be stretching it enough but what if you take apart the ads that try to recruit and mix them with ads about peace or something like that.

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  9. I am defiantly interested to see what you will bring to the table if you do indeed choose the military to represent your project.

    I agree with the previous comment of showcasing a little bit of both ends equally, which i think will help you keep your neutral standpoint in the long run if you equally represent both sides.

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  10. Be careful because it seems like that is a spoof ad of the real "Your Turn" military recruitment advertisements. They were just like the ones where a child sat down with their parent to discuss enlisting, and usually at the end the child would look directly into the camera, and the "Your Turn" would appear over their face.
    Here's an article about those advertisements:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/business/yourmoney/25recruit.html?_r=1
    If it is real, that's interesting that they'd use that photo (similarly banned by the Bush administration).

    This is an interesting resource showing old recruitment signs:
    http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2005/09/23/business/20050925_RECRUIT_SLIDESHOW_1.html

    I know people closely who are in/have been in the Army, Navy, National Guard, and Marines. They're all men, but I also knew some females who were highly involved in ROTC in college. I think it's important to remember that there are military people everywhere (i.e. potential employers). I'm not saying you should be pro-war or anti-war or pro-military or anti-military, you just have to KNOW what you're talking about, because people in the military will know about the military.

    I think it might be nearly impossible to remain neutral with this project, just make sure that you're educated as well as you can possibly be so that if someone is offended, you can defend yourself and your work.

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  11. Tony - I'll take the "Army of One" ads over the Kid Rock "Warrior" song any day. That was playing in theaters for about a year, but I think they pulled it due to all the spontaneous ear bleeds.

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  12. This is very interesting, where did you find this image? I have never seen an ad like that for the military.

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  13. Is that a real ad? I feel like it might be a commentary on real ads for the military, something that you are doing for your project.

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  14. Ouch, that image and text sure did get its point across. I feel that this does take a stance and that is something you are going to steer from. I can't wait to see your project displayed. Getting reactions from different people will definitely be interesting.

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  15. Good to see the passion you are approaching this project with!

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