Elements of an Effective Layout

The analytical tool here is the elements of an effective layout, which are balance, proportion, movement, unity, clarity and simplicity, and emphasis. Combining all of these elements together when making a print ad helps the ad to be more effective and understanding to the viewer. The different elements all apply to the advertisement I chose, because each element is present in a way in my ad. Some of these elements are more obvious to detect than others, but I do plan to show in my paper how the ad follows these elements and is therefore an effective layout and an effective ad.

I think balance, unity, and clarity and simplicity are the most important elements when it comes to advertising. I also think it is important that the balance not be completely symmetrical so the image still has life and is interesting and lively. As the article says, informal balance makes the advertisement exciting and original and forceful. Unity is important because the ad must make sense together. Even if there is more than one component or image in the advertisement, it needs to make sense to the overall message. It needs to feel like one piece rather than a bunch of separate pieces crammed together. It all needs to tie in together. And simplicity and clarity is perhaps the most important, with the focus being on clarity. The message needs to make sense to the viewer. What the ad is trying to say should be clear and should not need an interpreter to figure out. The average person needs to be able to understand what is going on and connect both text and picture to the thought and product being sold. I feel that all of the elements are really important. I think that taking any of the elements out makes for a weaker ad, so I would be unable to say that I think any are the least important elements.

I do think all of the elements were fairly easy to understand, and they do not ruin anything for me when it comes to advertising. I have taken art history once in high school and once in college. This article is very much like the principles of design that are applied to art, which I have studied before. In a way I feel advertisements are a form of art, and it is only natural that these elements be applied to their layout.