Full page magazine advert *Project Completed*

[mwnn]

(Admin code added by Michael - A80527202)


Hi all

Well here goes, money has been a paid into the paypal account here and this is my first post for a competition so please, be gentle :D

We have an advert going in pc answers this month so the cut off time would be the 3rd to get the final drafts done give or take an extra day or 2. Print is on the 7th.

We require an advert for our website Specialtech.co.uk (http://www.specialtech.co.uk). As the name implies we sell Special .. Tech. yes corny I know but it was the best we could come up with.

Looking for an advert thats eye catching, lists prices and has images on there of some of the cases that we have on the site. I know they will need to be 300dpi

My initial idea was to follow pc format here in the uk and have a woman licking a case instead of a graphics card but thats been killed off by the magazine (yet they allow a lovely lass and a hard drive) Looking for something fresh and akin to a Max Power (if you can work a sexy lady into the design that would be great)

What we do:
We sell cases and case modifications mainly. however as well as that we sell TFT's graphics cards and storage enclosures BUT we hand pick almost all of the items on our site to make sure they are worthwhile.

Logo wise
Handle Gothic Bold I know is what our existing banner is made up from. I have a freeware copy of this font if its needed

Contact details
Specialtech.co.uk Id like to be prominant and it doesnt have to be like the same style on the website
[t] 0870 460 5676

Thats about all I can think off at the moment. If you want any more information then please do ask as I know that I havent postage much that might be of use.

[ElKootcho]

Can you provide the magazine's print specs (or point us to a web site where they can be obtained)? You know, typical stuff like trim size, preferred file format, etc.

Thanks!!

[mwnn]

Here are the details from the email they have sent me.

SUPPLYING YOUR
ADVERTISEMENTS
DIGITALLY
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
COLOURS:
All colours must be in CMYK. RGB, Lab or Spot colours will be converted to CMYK automatically by our software and we cannot accept liability for undesirable colour
shifts.

FONTS:
All fonts must be embedded in the document. We cannot receive fonts from customers because its illegal. If you're supplying an EPS file then please ensure that all fonts have been converted to paths or outlines before saving. If fonts aren't embedded in the document we will ask you to re-supply the file.

RESOLUTION:
Colour and greyscale images should be 300dpi. Monochrome images should be 1200dpi. Supplying images at a lower resolution can lead to a loss of quality.
We dont check for low resolution images and we can't accept liability for quality issues relating to this.

SIZE:
All adverts should be supplied as single pages. Please follow the specifications in the Ad Size sheets. If your advert is within a 5% tolerance of our specification then
we will automatically re-size the advert without asking you. We cannot accept liability for undesired results. If the advert is outside of the 5% tolerance we will ask you
to re-supply the file at the correct size.

PDF FILES:
We accept PDF 1.3 files, please follow the specifications in the Generating PDF guidelines document.

ACCEPTED FILE FORMATS:
We accept PDF (preferred), Postscript, EPS, TIF and JPEG.

ACCEPTED APPLICATIONS:
We accept Illustrator, Freehand and Photoshop. We will accept Quark Xpress and In Design until June 30th 2003 after which we will no longer accept native Quark
Express or In Design files.

BLEED:
Adverts should be supplied with 3mm bleed wherever they will be printed to the edge of the page. If bleed is not present you will be asked to re-supply or, depending
on the design of the advert, we may add bleed for you but this could delay the ad by up to 24 hours.

KNOCKOUT / OVERPRINT:
Ensure that knockout and overprint are set correctly in the source application document. These settings will be present in the PDF generated from the application file and will be honoured in print. Future Publishing cannot accept liability where an advert appears incorrectly in print and the fault is shown to originate from the application file.

CONTRACT PROOFS:
To help our printers achieve colour accuracy please supply a contract proof. A contract proof should be generated from a high quality proofing device such as a
Cromalin or Iris proof. Laser proofs from desktop devices can be supplied as content proofs but these will not be sent to the printer.

Size
1 Full page
type 203 x 280
trim 222 x 300
bleed 228 x 306

Is this what you are after?

Mark

[Palmer]

Yes, that's exactly what they need.

Thanks :)

[ElKootcho]

Here's my first submission for your project. Please let me know if this is anywhere in the proper direction. Clearly this ad is dependent upon your ability to obtain a print-ready version of the main image. BTW - I realize that the magazine prefers to obtain a contract-proof but due to cost and location distances that is not something that I would be able to provide.

<img src='http://www.smallbusinessstyle.com/DesignOutpost/specialtech1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[mwnn]

Hi there,

Great start and exactly the full on impact thats being looked for. Just worried about my ability to take a pic of a case in a good resolution with the right color balance.

Whats liked
The Contrasting colors in the middle and the black bit at the bottom to allow for the text to stand out

The small case pics at the bottom pointing to other cases that we might have

The bad bits.
The top doesnt seem right with the green background.
The flames look ok but any chance of something more photo realistic?

Before I found this forum I was getting someone to design a logo for us. I quite like 3a as having that as our company image, is there a way to incorporate that into a design? link here (http://www.makrai.com/specialtech/).

Definatly a step in the right direction.

[ElKootcho]

Just worried about my ability to take a pic of a case in a good resolution with the right color balance.

Any chance of getting a shot from the manufacturer or distributer? It's kind of tough to design without knowing what suitable photos are available.

I quite like 3a as having that as our company image, is there a way to incorporate that into a design?

I can definately drop that in. Of course, the final version (whomever winds up designing it) will require a 300 dpi or vector version.

The top doesnt seem right with the green background.
The flames look ok but any chance of something more photo realistic?

Will do. I'll have some mods posted tonight.

[Eagle]

*
...or how about... ;)

[mwnn]

Any chance of getting a shot from the manufacturer or distributer? It's kind of tough to design without knowing what suitable photos are available.

Yes, these are on the way tomorrow so if rough copies can be done for now that would be top. However the coolermaster and Silverstone cases I will have to try my best to get decent pics off.

I can definately drop that in. Of course, the final version (whomever winds up designing it) will require a 300 dpi or vector version.

We are still fleshing out the design with that one. Again its a rough copy but we did like that logo (unless anyone here has input on the other ones or some ideas to pass onto that designer??)

This is a nightmare for me now lol. 2 good designs with potential both with great concepts that we like. A comment that we had is that some of the cases are artisic in their own right. I like the idea of 1 main case standing out but then I also like the woman idea as well. :blink:

Id like the use of a real woman if poss just like on here (http://www.eagleimagery.co.uk/0ther.asp) at the printer flyers section. Ie. half a woman, sultry looking half profile, and I do like the "these days its all about looks" tag. That we really do like

The text I will change and write something up a bit better as I need to do that for the site at any rates.

A few more cases would be nice. Am I asking too much from a design point of view.?? please tell me if I am not being reasonable.

Both concepts are great brilliant!

[ElKootcho]

Here's a modified version of my previous

<img src='http://www.smallbusinessstyle.com/DesignOutpost/specialtech2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Carl]

Something simple, yet bold.

[mwnn]

wow..
Will post come comments when ive been up for more than 10 mins

[DesignGeneral]

B)

[Eagle]

*
Brit humour...can't beat it! <img src='http://www.eagleimagery.co.uk/smil3y/eaglebrow.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Michael]

:( I had the same idea Mark :D


What would we do without istock :tup:

[mwnn]

Sorry ive been a bit late getting back to you all with feedback.

ElKootcho
Definatly on the right track. An idea that Ive had is to move that text in the blue to the top, make it slightly transparent and keep the text but tweak it slightly. As for high res pics, can anyone tell me how to take 300dpi pics? Is it possible to get more cases on the design but keeping the xblade as a focal point

Carl.
Kinda right, kinda not. Its hard to explain but heres my attempt lol. it looks a little bare but I like the area that its looking at

DesignGeneral
Looks a bit postery. We might be doing insertsfor a magazine and that would hit the spot but it looks alittle odd, however I dolike the how the background has blended with the logo

Eagle No 1
In the pub for trial testing people loved this one. It stands out and grabs the eye. Im be interseted to see the same effect but with a real lass on that pose. If possible can it be tweaked to get more images on there.

Eagle No 2
I really like this one. The womans eyes are brilliant. Only downside is that it looks segmented into two parts. is there anyway to get more intergration and perhaps a few more cases on the advert. The blue used in the middle text seems wrong doesnt seem the same as the rest and if poss can the logo be a little bigger? Or .. make it a little bigger. rotate it to match the angle of the arm and make it look like a tatoo on her? Another idea is to take a bit of the white out have the St logo watermarked? Basically the bottom is great,just the top part looks out of touch.

Lastly thanks to everyone whos contributing, apologies if I am sounding negative but its not meant to be likethat :D

[mwnn]

also.. the images of the women, are they open source I.e I wont get sued for using them lol

[Eagle]

*
Hi again :)

I've improved the look of the logo on this one. I gave it a try but having the girl sporting a 'SpecialTech tattoo' might be dodgy ground as far as use of this stock image is concerned. Suffice to say it may amount to personal endorsement of your product and that's a road I really don't want to travel! :)

Regarding the whitespace, the whole aim (and impact) of the advert is to allow the eye freedom to wander (to the parts that the title is hinting at! ;)) therefore I feel that using up any more whitespace would hamper the effect. I could also 'pull the advert together' using a border around the whole image, however printing (and subsequent trimming) being what it is, I couldn't gaurantee it looking even on all sides once in the mag.

Regarding getting good (300dpi) images of the cases, here's a few tips on the assumption that you don't have a pro spec camera or studio lighting.

1. Shoot outdoors on a bright but overcast day (not difficult here in the UK!)

2. Place item (case) on a table covered in a white sheet.

3. Pin up a white sheet for a background (filling the frame adequately) and get some helpers to hold up white sheets or some kind of white reflector either side of the case (out of shot of the camera). This set up will bathe the subject in a soft, natural light similar to the studio shots you see of the cases. If you feel particularly arty (and dependent on the surrounding area you shoot in) you can adjust the positioning of the sheets/reflectors to induce dark and light reflections on the case.

4. Don't worry about dpi - we'll handle that...just use the largest image size and quality setting the camera offers (hopefully it's digital). Then fill roughly 50% of the frame with the case. The framing will minimise the chances of the camera underexposing due to all that white!

Fig.1
<img src='http://www.eagleimagery.co.uk/clients/phothelp.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Hope this all helps! :)

[Eagle]

*
<!--QuoteBegin-mwnn+Jul 3 2004, 01:16 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (mwnn @ Jul 3 2004, 01:16 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->also.. the images of the women, are they open source I.e&nbsp; I wont get sued for using them lol[/b][/quote]
They are 'stock photos' from an image library - fit for the purpose! :)

[ElKootcho]

More cases!!

<img src='http://www.smallbusinessstyle.com/DesignOutpost/specialtech3.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[mwnn]

Good news. 4 hours of camera work and finding out how to use the thing properly I have some high res images, obviously need changing to 300dpi tho

Eagle
This is my fave I have to say!! Thanks for the hints about photos, I am uploading them to a site shortly so that you can have a look at the ones we are thinking of using. What about having the case in a 2 rows of 4 format or 3 x 3 and shifting the text to the side of them? Do see your point about the feel of the advert. Am still unsure of if she detracts toooo much from the cases. Going to get some research on that..

ElKootcho
Like what you done there with the more cases. The only thing that bugs me is the text at the top. Just doesnt look right, other than that. Spot on What I like about this is that it promotes the case that we are sole supplier for. The only down side is the text.

There is some good news for everyone whos joining in.

We are very impressed by the entries and want to use more than one of them and we have 4 adverts to run this year. So if someone doesnt win this time around and its ok to contact the runner up privatly thats what we intend to do. Too many good ideas around not to use!

If im not allowed to do that on this site I do apologise in advance

[Eagle]

<!--QuoteBegin-mwnn+Jul 4 2004, 08:08 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (mwnn @ Jul 4 2004, 08:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Good news.&nbsp; 4 hours of camera work and finding out how to Am still unsure of if she detracts toooo much from the cases.&nbsp; Going to get some research on that..
[/b][/quote]
...that's the whole point of the humour in the ad!....do I look at the cases or do I look at.....? :o

:lol: ;)

Like I said earlier, don't worry about changing the dpi - just providing the original, untouched images will do - we'll sort the rest! :)

I note that the ad goes to press on the 7th....we'll need your final decision quickly if we're to help you make that deadline! :)

[ElKootcho]

We are very impressed by the entries and want to use more than one of them and we have 4 adverts to run this year. So if someone doesnt win this time around and its ok to contact the runner up privatly thats what we intend to do.

You can cetainly contact the designers for additional adverts after the conclusion of the current project.

The only thing that bugs me is the text at the top. Just doesnt look right, other than that.

Obviously we're just about out of time to experiment with type treatments (since todays the 4th of July here in America!!!) but if you have any samples of looks that you like, I can definately work them in if you decide to use this ad in the future.

[mwnn]

Hi all.

after a lot of deliberation the winner is....Eagle..

Thank you all loads for your contributions. ElKootcho we'd like you to do the 2nd advert for us seeing as your idea was also top notch.

Thanks everyone whos contributed and keep a look out for our advert in Pc Answers in the next months issue :D

I do have a side project on the go but thats more for websites. Due to the helpfull nature of this site we will defo be back

[Eagle]

*
Cool! :tup: Thanks

Now...about those photos ;)

And when is your absolute deadline for (You) receiving the file(s)? :)

[mwnn]

Blimey. Dont waste any time will you :D

The design deadline is the 7th when we have to submit the final revision to the design team at future.

Images..
I can stick a small website up with thumbnails and link to the bigger images or I can send a lovely zip file with them all in for you if you like? prolly best on MSN messenger to do that.

If you have msn get me on shiftlocked@hotmail.com

Cheers
Mark

[Eagle]

*
It'd be just as easy sticking them all in a zip and uploading them - I've got BB so it's no biggy!

PM me the link if you like. :)

Please also post here final revision requests and we'll get this cracked! :)

[mwnn]

Cool will sort that out when I find the ones that I want to use.

The top area still doesnt look right. Cant place it but just a little too white perhaps? The text needs changing and Im revising that at the moment for you

AT the bottom its got
Specialtech.co.uk * www.specialtech.co.uk then the tel no. Can we get rid of the first specialtech and change the size of it a little. Go with what you feel on that but the 2 specialtechs make things confusing.

What about 2 or 3 rows of 4 cases or would that over crowd things a little?

I just rotated the advert on its side and placed the woman on the right hand side. Reason I did this was because if you flick through a magazine youd for from the back to the front and see the right hand edge.. Might be too much of a revision would that.

Just talking to other snow about the advert and will have more ideas shortly..

[Eagle]

*
Hi Mark

I can understand your enthusiasm for filling every bit of ad space with information - after all, I susect that you're paying big bucks for it. However, I'd suggest that efficient use of space, without overloading your potential customers with information, will maintain a visually appealing advertisement.

Please consider how much time people spend actually reading adverts? You have but milliseconds to grab the customers attention and impart vital information before they move on...

Of course, it's your train set so by all means maximise it! :)

I'll be around until about midnight (ish) UK time tonight and again from 1900hrs tomorrow - time is tight! :o

B)

[mwnn]

Fair dues, the advert is going for a minimalist eye catching thing and as you are the designer. White space is good as long as it is good white space (so ive been told lol )

Images will be uploaded shortly. Sorting out the images now for you.

[Eagle]

*
Great! :)

[ElKootcho]

Good job Eagle :tup: !!!

Mark - If/When you decide to run the second advert just shoot me a PM or email. I'll be happy to assist!! :D

[Eagle]

*
Thanks Mike <img src='http://www.eagleimagery.co.uk/smil3y/eagleblush.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

:)

[mwnn]

Images are in a 12mb zip file here (http://www.irwebcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/specialtechcaseshots.zip) any problems Iwill be back at about 10pm :D

[Eagle]

*
Akkh! Can someone confirm the zip is corrupted?! :o

[Michael]

<!--QuoteBegin-Eagle+Jul 6 2004, 08:22 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Eagle @ Jul 6 2004, 08:22 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> *
Akkh! Can someone confirm the zip is corrupted?! :o [/b][/quote]
Fine with me :)

[Eagle]

Ah! the URL's been changed...it was only 1.2Mb earlier!... Thanks Michael :)

Are those six the only images you now want used or are they in addition to the others? The others will just about do at that resolution if you wish to keep them in the design.

Please let me have the final requests for changes and I'll get to work. :)

While I'm here - I note that the logo was from a range of concept designs. Has the logo design (used in the advert) been purchased from the designer? I only ask because if you have it published (and it hasn't been purchased) we'll both be deep in the brown stuff! :o

Let me know! :)

[Eagle]

*
Latest revision...a little more 'dynamic'...

Mark, are you around? :huh:

[mwnn]

Gah sorry. The fiesta of death let me down tonight

The art work that was provided from the logo is what we have purchased logo wise and we are working on the final revisions for them, so dont worry its all in hand.

Revision wise.
Phone number is a little tricky to read

Love the bullet points, Can you word it into, if you can think of something better feel free to add input.
Quality Cases
Case mods
Mini, Midi, Micro And HTPC cases
Coolermaster, Silverstone, A-Top
Cathodes, Fans Controllers and Cooling accessories

Images
<img src='http://www.makrai.com/specialtech/images/Special_techlogos2_23.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' /> I think we are going with 3b I, as we want to go for a logo representing the company (BMW and Audi sort of thing)

Can you fit the silverstone LC03 VFD above the coolermaster case at the far right?


at the moment there is a bit of a debate about showing prices and names on there, would that create to much clutter, your advice on this would be appreciated. Another option might be "Latest Prices on the web"

Can the space between special tech be removed please. Sorry for not being here earlier.. Cars... Hopefully this advert will get some interest so I can get the exhaust and numerous other bits sorted :D

[Eagle]

Sure, I'll make/sort out those changes...

I'd personally recommend just having "Best Prices on the web"...I assume you have a price promise? Commiting yourself to prices in print isn't always a good idea...

Are you around now for as long as it takes? I can 'hack it' for a couple more hours! :lol:

:)

[mwnn]

Brilliant, might be able to crack this now.

Instead of best pricing available what about "for latest prices and availability, visit specialtech.co.uk"

[Eagle]

*
Ok! :)

A note on the Silverstone, unfortunately the perspective is different from the others and, try as I might, it couldn't be corrected.

How about the logo filling that space? :)

[mwnn]

Ok can we try it with the logo please, I will see if we can get some same perspective shots there.

[mwnn]

Just had a thought. Are any of the images from the website of use. Have a look in the cases , silverstone area.

[Eagle]

*
Possibly...I'll take another look.

Meanwhile... (please begin to spellcheck too! ;) )

[Eagle]

*
Or...

Unit facing the other direction initially seems out of place however it helps to prevent the eye 'wandering out of the page'.

[mwnn]

Cool. Liking that

Can you make the for pricing and availabilty a little bigger

With regards to your PM. Go for it :D

With the bullets swap the Quality cases and case mods around please.

[Eagle]

Ok...working... ;)

[Eagle]

*
Do you have a printer to hand?...

One of the next files will be a higher res (not 300dpi) download...for you to print off and check.

Why?: you only ever notice errors once it's printed!!! :lol:

[mwnn]

somewhere here... got a standard laser jet 4 jobbie

[Eagle]

*
Ok, I'll PM you the URL to download and print.

You may have to go into 'print preview' and jig it around a bit but don't worry about alignment/edges, colour balance, sharpness etc...it's just to let you proof (and spell check) a hard copy. :) When it goes to print, it'll look fine and dandy! :lol:

72dpi preview:

[mwnn]

Brilliant. :tup:

The only final thing is that last case, just doesnt look right. Just wish we had another case of that type with the same perspective and that would be perfection then.

Will print it off and do a check and can finalise tomorrow (today, weds) if thats ok?

[Eagle]

*
Mark, sorry but I won't be here again until tomorrow around 1700 UK time... :(

I know this is a rush but sometimes, it's the nature of the beast! :)

[Eagle]

*
The Lascala might work...checking...

[edit] looks reasonable...

[mwnn]

Sorry bout leaving, I had to crash and get some sleep.

Im trying to get a picture with the same angle as the other one. If I cant get one by the time you get back tonight then go with the logo idea.

[mwnn]

Ive got some more suitable images for the smaller cases that we talked about. just uploading now

[Michael]

Eagle (Mark) will not be back online till after 5PM, just thought I'd let you know if didn't already.

[Eagle]

*
Ok, I'm here and awaiting your direction :)

Q - Do you have broadband? :)

[mwnn]

Ai Im free
new images 3 mb (http://irwebcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/new.zip) are uploading now. Im still at work at the moment but wont be going ne where.

Images uploaded as of 17:20

[Eagle]

*
...so you're timing me now!? :o

Heheh, just kidding! :)

Are we still ok to get this to futurepublishing before the deadline? :)

[mwnn]

lol not at all, just last night you tried up get them before they were upped lol.

I think we have till the 9th and thats it then.

[Eagle]

*
Oh, we'll have it done well before then...perhaps in minutes few... ;)

[Eagle]

*
Could this be the one? :) ;)

Perspective-wise it's as good as we're going to get with the pics.

[mwnn]

You are right I think thats the best we are going to be able to get with that set of pictures.

I think thats it. Brilliant work. Something isnt just there but I cant figure it out lol. I really love it.. gah **** my lack of artistic skills and imagination.....

Class this one as signed off :D

[Eagle]

*
Mark, do you have a broadband connection? Reason I ask is that the files are quite large. I'll supply in jpg, tif and PDF formats. :)

[mwnn]

1.5mb of lovely connection speed :D

Did you want to send it via email or ftp it up?

[Eagle]

*
I'll FTP it... :)

Give me about an hour or so to finalise everything then I'll PM you the URL! :)

[mwnn]

Cheers.

Look forward to it :tup:

[Eagle]

*
Link to files sent! :)

[Eagle]

The end result?

:tup: :cool: