Grad School App / Sample 1 
Assignment: Submit 5 non-refundable ad samples that show your creative ability, conceptual thinking, design sense and dedication to your craft. The ads should not be an extension of an existing campaign. Be sure the products you pick have a very clear benefit for the consumer, and then convey the message as clearly and provocatively as possible.

Since my entire portfolio is built of photoshoots & layout design for Garnet & Black, I had to start from scratch and design 5 ad samples just for this application. Lots of work, but so much fun. I love workin’ mah brain!

This is a concept I came up with for Weed Be Gone, a weed remover spray/poison. I wanted to breech the typical reach of a magazine ad, and utilize the properties of the medium to both physically and visually convey the message. The crack of the magazine reminded me of a crack in pavement, a place I’ve often seen television advertisements for similar products use to illustrate where “stubborn weeds” grow. When you flip to the page, the die cut insert pops up and the weeds appear to be growing from the binding of the magazine. The Weed Be Gone, shown in the bottom right corner, is emitting a spritz. To illustrate the purpose and effectiveness of the product, there are no weeds where the product is being sprayed.

Overall, the ad is meant to catch the viewer’s attention through its non-traditional use of the medium, and to convince the viewer that the product is effective through the simple illustration.

-CKB