Conference Poster Needs a Critique FINAL -- V.5 Done!

[jd callow]

It would be very helpful if you would please review the poster and give me some feedback.

<edit=1> I have updated the attachment to reflect some of the changes listed here on in a PM sent to me regarding the original version. </edit>

<edit=2> Updated again. Please give it the once over and let me know your thoughts</edit>

<edit=3> Updated for the 4th time. Give a go if you'd be so kind.</edit>

<edit=4> Updated for the 5th time and final(?) time. Thank you all who posted and PM'd it really was a great help</edit>

 

[Poco]

I like the crowded lettering style, but it does look a little like "intemational" at the top.

The overall feeling has a, zippy, "happening" feel to it.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The closely spaced text feels a bit cluttered to me.

Somewhere on the poster, it should say what "APUG" stands for. What if the big headline were "Analog Photography Users Group" and then in smaller type, "1st Annual Conference"? To us it may seem like the main piece of information is the conference, but to someone looking at a poster, I think the main piece of information would be that APUG exists, and there is going to be some big event in Toronto involving traditional photography.

How informative is that photograph? Unless you've lived in NYC and Toronto, as I have, and can recognize the seats in the train as being from Toronto, then it's not obvious what information this photograph conveys (NYC subway cars are made in Canada, and they look pretty much like the one in the picture). Maybe the main image should reference film or a camera, rather than Toronto, or ideally, there should be both.

 

[BWGirl]

I guess about the only thing I would change is the kerning of letters in the words. A definition of APUG would be a good idea as well.

I kinda like the subway car (even though I live in a land devoid of sub-terranian transportation) . I can't explain why I like it... I just do (hey... I'm a woman... I don't HAVE to explain! )

 

[jd callow]

The purpose of the poster is to:
1) tell people there is a traditional conference happening
2) to get people to go online and investigate. We don't have the bodies to have a phone line.

Does it work?

We will in many if not most cases be augmenting the poster with a stack of entry forms (almost ready for review I'm waiting on some images). The forms may complete the story, but the poster should and needs to stand on its own.

I agree APUG should be spelled out.

The choice of image is one we are stuck with. Does it speak to the idea or imagery of photography without being literal? I think Torontonians will recognize the subject's source (isn't it a bit too clean to be mistaken for a NY car?).

The kerning and leading is tight by design. I'll play with loosening it up a tad.

 

[Aggie]

Overall, I like it very much. One thing that struck me was that the main sponsor of the conference is J and C Photo, as evidenced by their conspicuous logo, but, to my knowledge, J and C does not offer color films or papers, yet the poster is in beautiful color. Not a criticism, just an observation. Like I said, I like it very much.

Jay

Alex add J&C being mentioned where Jay will pick a fight just like he does with MAS.

J&C is a sponsor just live with it Jay.

 

[Claire Senft]

I agree with the prvious observations. I think that a nice image has been chose. I wonder if the image that would show a group of people trying to board the car if it would not add to a message of growth, vitality and a movement.

 

[Aggie]

Aggie,

I don't know what you're going on about. I have absolutely noything against J and C, and only mentioned that a color image might not represent apug and/or J and C as well as a B and W one might. I'm very happy to see J and C making such a meaningful commitment to the conference, and to apug. It is a perfect match, I think. Take a few deep breaths, you'll feel better.

Jay

Take a long hard look at the great poster. Since when did Ilford also produce color film? You singled out only J&C when the truth is the only color manufacturer and or retailer is Fuji. YOu hav ein other threads bashed J&C. It is tiresome that you have an axe to grind against some and you go to great lengths to do it or overlook you lack of forthought before you point something like you just did.

 

[jd callow]

Claire,
An image with people slightly blurred as they enter or exit would add life and excitement to the image. I would love it conference poster or not. It is something I haven't been able to get with my preferred film and lighting in these dungeons. I can switch to faster film but it won't have the pop that this film has. The exposures are generally around 10-60" @ f/8 I need to be in the 1/4 -1" range to get a good shot w/ people w/ slight blur.

Aggie, Jay,
I understand Jay's point and I don't see it as anti anything,he's wondering if we are sending a mixed message.

I chose the colour image because 1) I don't shoot much b/w; 2) I had a b/w image for the (now defunct) photo contest; 3) Most people know APUG as a b/w haven I intentional wanted a colour image to open it up a bit 4) J and C hadn't signed on at the time.

 

[jd callow]

I've made some changes. Some you'll notice right off others may not be as apparent.

PLEASE Re Review the poster is the attachement on the original post.


Thanks a boutload!

 

[Bob F.]

Once the meaning of APUG is made clearer, the only two negative (to me) points I can see are.

* The URL "www.Apug.org/conference" - the capital "A" looks like an error - should it all be lowercase?

* The red text "Elevator Gallery" disappears somewhat into the image colour and none of the red text stands out much against the background (but that may be my somewhat colourblind eyes!).

Overall? Looks like a very dynamic happening! Wish I could be there.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Troy Hamon]

Reviewing second draft...I like it very much. I agree with Bob F that the capital A in the web address seems off, but I haven't seen the poster with lowercase there. I like the red lettering.

As for the overall tone of the poster, color, alignment, feeling...I like it very much. I wish I could attend.

 

[Les McLean]

I think the first line at the top needs better spacing, as it is it looks like an unpunctuated sentence. I'd also like to see a more prominent mention of black and white photography, but I would, wouldn't I? Otherwise a great job John.

 

[agGNOME]

I think it's a very attractive layout. The two things that catch my eye are:
1) only the very first line seems cluttered with apug.org and no space (just 1 would do) between the "analog photography users group"
2) it's been mentioned, but the apug web address at the bottom wolud seem more in place with a lower case a
overall a great a catchy poster; (reminder that I need to see if I can make a reality of getting to the conference)

 

[jd callow]

Updated again. Please give it the once over and let me know your thoughts

Changed the first line and made the 'A' in the url a lower case.

were almost done, don't give up on me yet.

click the attachment on the original post to see the latest version.

 

[Les McLean]

have to say John I still think the first line is a jumbled mess

 

[jd callow]

I agree, but will wait for another reply or two (and or for my brain to come up with a solution).

 

[Les McLean]

John how about a simple space between each word

 

[jd callow]

Shhhhhhush!











I'm afraid that I have introduced too many design elements and reverting to the traditional may be a fix, but it might also require more reworking throughout. I'll know in a minute...

 

[jtsatterlee]

Looks good, two comments:

1. The ALLCAPS for the full name of AUPG at the top is difficult to read (it si not natural for us to read all caps), perhaps:

APUG.ORG AnalogPhotographyUsersGroup​

with the same text treatment

2. And I like the fact the image is in color, a reminder that color is still analong, not just B&W

added as edit:
JandC does sell Color film - I have some 127 C41 from them

 

[Bob F.]

I see what you are trying to do, but the top line and bottom lines look odd to me... ALTERNATINGeachWORDtoSEPARATEthemDOESnotREALLYworkFORme

Minor point from a pedant: "workshop" is one word...

Like it that you have put a bit more separation between lines of text.

Love the tag-line "Film is Alive and having a Party! Celebrate Traditional Photography"!

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Troy Hamon]

I would tend to agree with others regarding the first line in version 3, and suggest that, per both Les and jtsatterlee's comments, you add spaces between the words of APUG as well as take it out of all uppercase.

Analog Photography Users Group

My second comment regarding the first line is that it might not be necessary to have the web address there since it elsewhere on the poster as part of the conference web address. Removing it might help clean up the first line a bit. If you do leave it on the first line, perhaps move it to come after the spelled-out version?

I know how it is to design these types of things, feel free to ignore my comments if you feel they don't click with your own view of things.

 

[jd callow]

APUG.Org is gone from the 1st line
Fixed the kerning on the g/c on the URL (in responce to a PM)
Increased the leading between the address block and the url (as above)

Reverted to all upper case for the first line with the exception of Presents which is upper and lower(this may change).

The ascenders keep me from going upper and lower case on first line.

added lots of room on first line.

Please look it over again we are almost done (fingers crossed)

 

[Bob F.]

One option to avoid having all caps and also avoid descenders might be to use small caps as in ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY USER GROUP.

 

[jd callow]

Bob,
I tried it and it didn't work with the rest of the layout.