PSA Ad
I was required to create a Public Service Announcement about the harmful effects of binge drinking and alcohol abuse. This is my first photoshop project so my techniques are a little rusty, but they have tremendously increased since this project!
When looking on Google for examples of good PSA advertisements, they were simple and to the point. This is the exact theme I was going for when using my simple design principles and elements. I feathered the pictures that I edited in order to get rid of some choppy edges from the magnetic lasso. I used a simple text tool and did not want the font to be too distracting so that it did not detract from the actual message. I did look at trying to ad a little flair to the text and the pictures, but it made the advertisement look distracting and more elementary.
I feel my creativity was good because Mrs. McNamara’s speech centered on the harmful effects of drinking and drugs. She showed pictures of irresponsible drinking and the consequences and asked us “What if this was your surgeon?” This is where my ideas stemmed from. As far as visual appeal goes, I wanted to stick to the simple theme and make this sign visual over other signs. I used the blue background because it draws in the eye and big font so that it’s easy to read from a distance.
My design fits the PSA mold because it raises awareness by showing the pictures that no one sees when drinking is advertised. My opening statement, “This could be your child’s teacher” sparks an immediate interest in the poster, making people read on. It stimulates action because people don’t want these images represented in the professional fields. It’s a simple, but beneficial advertisement getting people to think about the type of people that could be going through alcohol or drug problems and I think it’s very effective.
