Movie Poster Analysis

Name of Artifact:  The Dark Knight Movie Poster

Name of Analyst:  Kat Holly   Date of Analysis:   03/04/13

Basic Design Principles
Proximity In what ways does the piece succeed or fail in arranging elements? Grouping like elements and separating different elements?	The grouping of the elements work here because there is a background (the city), a middle ground (The Joker), and an over lay of text on top.
Alignment How does the ad visually connect (or fail to connect) elements of the piece?	The villain, The Joker, is aligned dead center. The “Why So Serious” is placed on top so that it engages the eye and interest of the user.  And finally at the bottom we see the Movie Title.
Repetition How does the repetition of elements in the piece strengthen the composition and create consistency (or fail to do so)?	There is repetition in the background with the city.  We also see repetition with the blurred parts of the picture.
Contrast How does the piece use contrast in its elements to add visual interest?	The red bloody lettering stands out and adds visual interest for two reasons.  First it is a contrast in color; secondly it is a change of font of the entire poster.
Typefaces & Fonts
Concord or Conflict? Does this piece use the same font consistently? Or does it use different fonts that are different, but not different enough?	The title and information is the same font providing consistency.  The hand written bloody font is so different from the generic white grey, it works and concords with the poster.
Contrast How does the piece effectively use contrasts? Is more contrast needed? (Discuss: Size, Weight, Structure, Form, Direction, Color)	There is contrast between the blurred parts of the poster and the visually sharp parts.  No more contrast is needed because the “Why so serious?” is contrasting enough.

Semiotic Components of Communication and Composition
Verbal signifiers What words, idioms, allusions, anecdotes, stand out as significant meaning-makers? What is signified by each of these signifiers?	A quote from the villain of the movie facilitates the plot.
Visual signifiers What images, photos, colors, etc., stand out as significant meaning-makers? What is signified by each of these signifiers?	The repeated blue, grey, black color scheme used signifies the state the city of New York is in.  It also signifies the “evilness” of the joker and crime done around the city.  The red bloody font pops to the eye and makes us excited for brutal violence.
Rhetorical Components of Communication and Composition
Audience To whom is the communication addressed?	This is more directed to the younger/ horror movie loving generation.
Kairos: What is the event, occasion and/or setting for this piece?	The premiere of a movie.
Logos: Are there cost/benefit, before/after, comparison/contrasts and other appeals to logic?
Ethos: Does the piece address credibility of the writer, relationship with the audience, etc?
Pathos: How does this piece relate to the audience on an emotional level?	It makes us engaged on who is going to win.  Good or evil.

Name of Artifact:  Moulin Rouge

Name of Analyst:  Kat Holly    Date of Analysis:  03/04/13

Basic Design Principles
Proximity In what ways does the piece succeed or fail in arranging elements? Grouping like elements and separating different elements?	Arranging the couple more forward than the sign and background to the left of them adds visual interest and are in good proximity from each other.
Alignment How does the ad visually connect (or fail to connect) elements of the piece?	The off centered kissing couple and the Moulin Rouge in the background connect the piece.
Repetition How does the repetition of elements in the piece strengthen the composition and create consistency (or fail to do so)?	There is a repetition in mood, lighting, and color in this poster.  It is clear that is night time and the shadows and contrast are intensified on the poster.  There is repetition in the colors used; red, black, and gold.
Contrast How does the piece use contrast in its elements to add visual interest?	Her contrasting red dress against his all black suit adds visual interest.
Typefaces & Fonts
Concord or Conflict? Does this piece use the same font consistently? Or does it use different fonts that are different, but not different enough?	This uses different fonts.  Although they are all similar, there is a difference in the white block font introduced the A list actors in the movie.
Contrast How does the piece effectively use contrasts? Is more contrast needed? (Discuss: Size, Weight, Structure, Form, Direction, Color)	Because the couple is on the left, most of the text and information is right heavy, balancing the poster.

Semiotic Components of Communication and Composition
Verbal signifiers What words, idioms, allusions, anecdotes, stand out as significant meaning-makers? What is signified by each of these signifiers?	The big name actors placed on the very top of the poster and a repetition of the title throughout the poster.
Visual signifiers What images, photos, colors, etc., stand out as significant meaning-makers? What is signified by each of these signifiers?	Reds, night time, it signifies love, lust, and romance.
Rhetorical Components of Communication and Composition
Audience To whom is the communication addressed?	A Romantic loving mature audience
Kairos: What is the event, occasion and/or setting for this piece?	Night Time, the Moulin Rouge
Logos: Are there cost/benefit, before/after, comparison/contrasts and other appeals to logic?	We know from history class that the Moulin Rouge is somewhere you find lust not love.  When we see the couple so miserably in love, it appeals to our logic and strikes interest in the user.
Ethos: Does the piece address credibility of the writer, relationship with the audience, etc?	The creditability is proven with the A list actors names
Pathos: How does this piece relate to the audience on an emotional level?	It is romantic.  Everyone wants to be loved… or at least watch that somebody else is loved.