Andrea Learned on Imagery

To move forward we must build the plank of design into the bridge from our left brain to our right brain.

I find the art of advertising fascinating.  For me it's all about the intent.  What messages are advertisers trying to convey?  Andrea Learned introspects  on conveying a message with imagery:  "Are business types learning to use their right-brains more to balance out their thinking in what is now a much more conceptual age?"  And, "How can imagery help to better reflect your products relevance in their lives?"

The theme of Andrea's essay weaves design, right-brain thinking and the use of imagery in advertising to women.  She says no longer is beauty represented by sixteen year-olds who are 5'11" and weigh 105 pounds.  My take on this line of thinking is a transition from fantasy to reality - supported by truth.  So the challenge for advertisers is to garner appeal through the lens, the image of what is real for consumers. 

I think reality-appeal is possible via a ride through right brain country.  Advertisers must pay attention to the signs.  The barn mural of Mail Pouch gives way to Connection and Experience.  What images stimulate action?  Do they inspire a need for connection and a need to embrace experience? 

Of course consumers come in all shapes, sizes and age.  For those born before the baby boomers, people want to connect with a product or service and they want experience...

So, I am sitting at a restaurant today with my fourteen year old daughter, feeling like I'd like to capture a few of her thoughts.  I ask her, "what do you want to do for a living when you get older?" 

She says, "I would like to fly around the world and see how people live.  I'd like to change their living styles."

I said, "what do you mean?"

"Well Dad, people in Africa don't have air conditioning.  I would like to give them air conditioning.  I would like to help people."

This conversation was one of those real moments.  Somehow, we managed to slip beneath My Space, clothes and other things on my daughter's mind.  I get the feeling that more young people than you might think have this built in need to make a difference.  And every fiber in my body tells me the way to crack through the force-fields sheilding these folks from media-bombardment is to approach from the right side of the brain using imagery that penetrates into this need to make a difference.

Note to self and others who fear that they cannot write something on their blog unless it makes perfect sense:  This post doesn't completely click for me.  I was just trying to work somethings out in my mind about design, right brain thought and imagery which were stimulated by Andrea Learned.

Comments

[Rosa Say]

Makes perfect sense to me Dave, you can write out loud all you want!