Peel Away the Layers

For this fun and fruity commercial, Imaginary Forces teamed up with Yoplait Yogurt for their promotional advertisement. Yoplait advertises fresh, healthy, and real fruit. Imaginary Forces did just that. Although it seems literal, the commercial was successful in promoting the healthy yogurt. It is bright, inviting, and looks delicious. The graphics clearly make up the entire commercial. The use of different fruit illustrated the wide variety of flavor that Yoplait has to offer. Each piece of fruit has it's distinct characteristics. My favorite touch was the dew on the fruit. It created the feel of fresh fruit that was just grown. Compared to the grease of fast food and processed foods, this commercial complimented the yogurt by proving it is all natural. Also, I enjoyed the realism of the fruit. Everything seemed so real.

Likewise, the color scheme added to the friendly atmosphere. The use of sunshine yellow, fresh grass, and the baby blue sky showed the beauty of nature and what it provides. The use of warm colors

created a colorful and bright tone to the commercial.

My favorite element is the use of textures. To me, the grass looks so real because of each individual, unique strand. Likewise, the peach has it's hair while the pineapple has its spikes. I loved the use of realism in combination with fantasy. It is almost too perfect, but maybe Yoplait is..

The transitions were smooth but different for each piece of fruit. The peach peeled open from the stem, others crack open, or horizontally peel away. Lastly, the yogurt grows from the kiwi and blossoms.

The theme of the commercial is very inviting to the viewer. The music and friendly tone create a calm, but sweet atmosphere. I think the Yoplait commercial was bright and successful!

USA: Character Driven

As a faithful audience member to the “USA” Network, I immediately chose this network branding by Imaginary Forces. With a clever logo, the network is home to diverse characters. Series such as “Law and Order” and “Monk” each bring personal, yet dynamic personalities to the network. Imaginary Forces wanted to stay true to the “characters welcome” slogan and strived to “find a way to visually embody the network’s commitment to a character-driven identity” (Imaginary Forces).

The network branding consists of footage from their series and text. There is no motion graphics expect for the transition of the texts and transition of footage. However, the simplicity with the movements of the words makes the branding brilliant.

By unifying all of the characters with the brand name, the characters and the network are defined as one. However, I really like how each show is introduced with their specific logo. For example, when “Monk” is being promoted, their specific logo is used in context with “USA.” I thought this was a great touch because although the series are promoting the network, they each contain their own individual trademark.

The text clearly made the branding have personality. When the eye appears, it fades into focus, when the dog pants the text copies. I loved this small accent to the video.

The transitions of the video are sharp and clean and correspond with the music. It transitions from show to show to show. I liked the simplicity of the video and the power of the shows.

Nurse Jackie... it's Showtime!

The ever so popular "Showtime" Network unveils yet another hit series: "Nurse Jackie." The

show is said to be "E.R." but dramatic, touching, and hilarious. After reading several reviews, I found the audience truly connected with Edie Falco's character, Jackie.

Imaginary Forces took on the role of the opening credits. I feel they accomplished the look and feel of the show in the rather short sequence.

With my experience of creating an opening sequence, I thought it had to be long and complex. However, this sequence was short, somewhat simple, and effective. The video had strong, realistic graphics, clean transitions, and clever footage.

I loved the simplicity of the graphics. Everything that was used is part of her. For example, her ring and necklace are elements that are symbolize her character. As well as the pills and worker i.d. card.

All of the objects could not have worked without the help of motion. Imaginary Forces used slow motion and short, fast movements in the titles. It was as if the objects were floating in space the way the moved. She was the gravitational pull that attracted all of the objects to her. They all belonged to her. A part of her.

My other favorite element was the footage and how it was used. Edie Falco did an amazing job interacting with the camera. When she is opening the medicine cabinet, it is as if she is opening her life and her story to the audience. Nurse Jackie constantly interacts with the camera by glimpsing and even smirking. The camera focuses on certain aspects by using layers. The foreground is in clear

vision while the background is blurred and somewhat faded. Although I have yet to see the show (which now I really want to!) I feel like I understand her character.

Lastly, I believe the color range and the music are the last two elements to pull this drama together. The colors remind me of doctors offices (white walls, clean colors, with blue scrubs). However, the red pills, the coffee spilling, and the black text brought a dramatic edge feel to the credits. I believe it is her own version of

nursing. She makes it different. Likewise, the music is clean but adds suspense and the tone picking up at the end adds emphasis to her character.

I really enjoyed the "Nurse Jackie" opening credits, especially how it began with her opening the medicine cabinet and ended with her closing it. I am not inspired to watch the show!

Rounding Up TNT

TNT is known for their hit shows such as “Saving Grace” and “

The Closer.” However, as an aspiring graphic designer, I credit them for their motion graphics. Troika succeeds in gathering the network’s shows in a collection of network branding.

The storyline is very simple, yet impactful. The promotion “circles” each character set from the particular shows. Each set holds their own personal identity such as “Hawthorne” in her medical lab coats. Also, each round of shows has their distinct logo.

TNT Network is an explosion of drama. With their firey logo, the branding is able to link between each dramatic show and emphasize the characters with the streams of light. The color palette enables the gold

to distinctly pop with contrast. The deep blues and reds put focus on the exploding particles drifting behind the light.

Likewise, the transitions are seamless and powerful. Each show has their distinct, individual identity. In the beginning, they are each specifically introduced by character and then linked throughout the branding

by the light.

Although the animation is similar throughout the branding, it succesful in bringing the TNT logo to the show identity as well. It is a swooping light that circles the protagonists. It has a glow and sharp movements to it. I thought it illustrated the brilliance of drama.

Lastly, the music ties all of the elements together. It is strong and bold. Clearly, the network emulates DRAMA!