Assignment Objective: Create an ad series of three social media advertisements that would be used on Instagram. The designs should look similar and have the same brand identity.
I loved this project as it gave me an opportunity to showcase my design skills beyond my usual scope. My primary focus was to identify the target audience and plan an overarching visual style for the ads. I consulted with reptile pet owners to gain insights, and one of them recommended a store that lacked advertising and branding consistency, relying on handwritten or hand-painted elements. Instagram proved to be a valuable resource for exploring advertising tactics, particularly for exotic pet stores, though I noticed most ads were primarily images of animals without accompanying text. One challenge I encountered was designing for horizontally-oriented reptiles, unlike vertically-oriented dogs or cats. To make the reptiles stand out, I chose a bright orange background, which contrasts nicely with their typical brown or green color. I tested out various handwritten fonts, ultimately choosing a legible yet playful one. Finally, I customized the design for the remaining two ads, making minor tweaks to accommodate different visuals and copy while still maintaining a cohesive look. The designs aren’t identical but they do look cohesive.
PhotoCredits:
Chuckwalla: Paul Richie via flickr
Snake: Matt Reinbold via flickr
Iguana: Susan Frazier via flickr
