Graphic Design for a Local Band

In August of 2013, I was asked to develop some imagery for a local band’s social media as well as other, printed material.

The Beam Me Up Ska-T’s are a ska band from Ogden, Utah who love Star Trek and puns.

I created a few different versions of the following, using a font based on the 1960s television show. I also had the idea to blend Star Trek characters Spock and Uhura with Walt Jabsco and Betty (sometimes called Beat Girl), iconic images from the 1960s ska movement.

As evident by this and other content, I was asked to substitute the “A” in “Ska-T’s” with the arrowhead emblem from the show. I had reservations doing so, in part because I feel it reduces legibility and because I don’t want to be party to copyright infringement. CBS and Paramount – If you’re reading this, I’m sorry; I didn’t want to do it. But in the end the Ska-T’s were the client and I thought it was best to make it look good, rather than have someone else do a second rate job.

The Antics research and presentation

In autumn of 2011, as a part of a privately contracted team of three, I did research for The Antics and presented our findings in a meeting with one of the Co-Managers. What follows is 1) a pdf of our initial situational analysis, objectives, publics, messages, strategies and tactics, action plan and evaluation plan, and 2) the power point presentation, with the text re-written below each slide.

The Antics Comedy Improv Troupe

The Antics

Comedy Improv Troupe

Background

Became independent from USU Improv July 2010

Perform every Friday

• 10 pm
• $5
• Logan Arthouse and Cinema, 795 N Main

13 performers

2 co-managers

theanticsimprov@gmail.com

Average monthly attendance: 307

Competition

Other comedy improv troupes:

• Out of the Blue Entertainment, Fire House Pizzeria, Friday nights at 9:30 pm
• Logan Out Loud, Logan Arthouse and Cinema, Saturday nights at 9:30 pm

Other entertainment options:

• Movies
• Campus Activities
• Sports

Current Business Goal:

Increase average weekly attendance to 100

SWOT Analysis – Strengths

• “PG” improv comedy
• Less expensive than other improv comedy acts
• Employ more experienced improvisers
• Consistent in their schedule of shows
• Little competition in Cache Valley
• Easy name recognition
• Affiliated with USU improv
• Wide diversity in their actors
• More diverse games
• Variety of discounts (punchcards, fliers, etc)

SWOT Analysis – Weaknesses

• Late show
• Lack of marketing
• The Arthouse has limited parking
• The Arthouse is out of the way
• Lack of social media presence
• Lack of awareness or understanding among target audiences

SWOT Analysis – Opportunities

Media relations with all local news outlets, especially the Herald Journal’s extra arts magazine

Marketing on campus

Targeting other markets besides college students

Team up with other businesses to create special offers

Social media campaigns

Stronger involvement with Utah State, through housing, Greeks, clubs

Community centers, i.e. retirement centers (no tretirement homes)

Flash mob

Merchandise

• T-shirts
• Stickers

SWOT Analysis – Threats

• Logan Arthouse shutting down
• Summers and holiday weekends
• The Arthouse will not kick performers out who have shows before the Antics, even if they are going longer than scheduled

Communications Objectives – Informational

• Increase awareness. This can be measured by polling. An increase of 50% would be considered effective.
• Increase understanding of differences between improv and stand-up. This can be measured by surveying. An increase of 25% would be considered effective.

Communications Objectives – Attitudinal

• Persuade Cache Valley residents 10:30 is not too late to go to an improv comedy show. This can be measured by surveying. An increase of 30% would be considered effective.

Communications Objectives – Behavioral

• Increase retention of attendees. This can be measured by the amount of filled out punch cards returned. Currently, the weekly average is 2.5 turned in every week. Doubling that number by the end of April is an achievable goal.

Key Audiences

College students

High School students

Families

• Young marrieds
• With children under 12
• With teenage children
• Elderly, with grandchildren

Burgeoning improv performers

Key Messages

“Improv: It’s more fun and less expensive than a movie”

A great and different date night

“Best bang for your buck”

“The funniest five dollars you’ll ever spend”

It’s not like watching stand-up: Improv is never the same thing twice

It’s not like watching stand-up: You can be part of the show in improv

• Why watch late night TV, when you can be part of improv comedy?

Fill a punch-card: Come to six shows, you and a friend get in for free

It’s not too late! You’re still awake. Come have fun.

Get to know the improv craft at the professional level

It’s good clean fun

Action Plan

• Aggie Radio
• Ads on buses
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Electronic Media
• Fliers
• Posters
• Newspaper stories and ads

Evaluation Plan

General Survey to establish a base line

• survey after each academic semester to gauge success
• survey can be handed out at shows
• completed surveys can be traded in for candy at the door

Attendance and revenue will also be used

the green gum goes greener

As part of a team of three, I wrote the copy for this ad to promote the William Wrigley Jr. Company’s “Sustainability In Action” campaign, as well as help edit the photo.

the green gum goes greener

The text is as follows:

Wrigley’s believes in advancing the well being of people and the planet, now and for future generations, by making sound environmental, social, and economic practices second nature in everything we do.

Today, more than ever, sustainability is one of our leading priorities and we have committed our people, our resources, and our innovative energy to advancing the well being of our associates and our neighbors around the world. We are committed to reduce our waste, carbon footprint, and water impact by at least 3 percent every year, regardless of business growth. We are committed to using sustainable materials and partnering with sustainable suppliers. We are committed to further educating and promoting responsible use and disposal of our products.

The following was originally intended to run at the bottom of the ad:

What are you committed to do? Join us at http://www.wrigley.com/global/our-commitment/global-sustainability.aspx

Here is an alternate version of the ad, with a different tagline:

Chew beautiful. Chew green. Chew Wrigley.

Image layout by Cody Littlewood.

The Wrigley Company is a recognized leader in the confectionary industry and the world’s largest manufacturer of chewing gum. Founded in 1891, they sell their brands in more than 180 countries and operate 25 manufacturing sites in 15 countries. Three brands – Altoids®, Juicy Fruit®, and Wrigley’s Spearmint®  – stretch back more than a century.

Wrigley has its headquarters in Chicago, and operates as a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated, a private, family owned company founded in 1911. Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest food companies, generating global revenues of $30 billion annually.