Logo Design

   When one thinks of how a creative logo and packaged item can lure the customer, it must first be established  what type of customer that the product is marketed for.  Visiting a grocery store should only be done when one is not hungry, however it is a great way to evaluate how different colorful logo-  packaged items and the store's layout can visually target or influence a specific type or a general type of consumer to a particular product.  This excursion was fun and visually informative; however for myself, I did take along a grocery list for my own purposes.

     One big trend on logos that I observed on products while navigating down the supermarket aisles, is an  ecological, health and wellness theme.  One example of a food logo item  promoting  a 'wellness'  and 'ecological' theme can be found on an establish brand's logo Campbell's soup.  Additional to the brand logo, the label also contains  a smaller green heart-shape badge with yellow colored annotation “healthy request” printed  on it.  For the ecology conscious consumer Campbell's soup stamps in red “100% recyclable” on the can's lid.  Other company products also use similar slogans or banners in addition to its logo in order to draw attention.  The healthy-conscience consumer that may be attracted to a particular food item can also be informed that the product contains “No Fat” or “No Cholesterol” or “Low Sodium”  or is “Organic” or “Natural”. 

       Another trend observed that many of the food items that are enclose in the packaging have Logos that contain a picture either of an important ingredient, such as fruit or chocolate as well as an image of the food product that one can incorporate into an appetizing dish.   All of these logos spark the 'taste-bud' of the consumer.  Depending on how delicious the food image is, the logo may entice the consumer to choose one particular product over another.

     Most importantly, the 'power of color' as a visual communicator, entices the consumer's perception of a particular product and directs their eyes to an particular logo.  Remembering Lester's visual cues : color, form, depth, and movement; “. . . are  the major concern of any visual communicator designing an image to be remembered by the viewer  because they are noticed before a person even realizes what they are.”   It is the brain that makes connection and forms opinions before the conscience mind even knows what one is looking at.  The logo and color used in the logo is important because it acts as a symbol to the company's brand.  Marketers and technology now can produce logos that are informative, functional, and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.  For me colors such as gold or purple may represent richness or quality, greens, browns and orange may represent earthiness, usage of reds attracts attention, yellow may represent cheerfulness or curiosity and the blue color may represent trustworthiness.  We are different in what color means to us and what color may catch our eyes first.(Lester, P.M., pg.16, 2011) 

     With that said, logos that invokes the consumer's attention must  balances between three ethical approaches.  With an utilitarianism approach, the logo design has to be “readable, legible, and useful”. Another approach is where the logo  needs to express an appropriate tone for the company's merchandise; this example would be an Aristotle’s golden mean approach.  Hedonism approach has to be subdued  since it may signify  “satisfying commercial interests, . . .  or expressing a personal statement”.  (Lester P.M., pg.183-184, 2011)

     For myself, I am a 'brand-type' of consumer, because I do not 'trust' the taste of the generic type brands when it comes to food.  Because of our economics, a lot of times I stock up in non-perishable brand items that I like when they are on sale.  In the supermarket that I commonly visit, large visual, readable hanging signs in the grocery store marked every aisle making  navigation easier to find the right section for the item. Brand logos helps my eyes mark the spot in the shelf where I can obtain the item.  Lastly, I might be considered  a 'health-conscience' consumer since I do read the labels for nutritional stats. As a consumer, it is possible to see another brand's logo that stands out among another food items, enticing me  to check out its product's ingredients and give it a try. 

References

Lester, P.M. (2011) Chapter 2 - Visual Cues

(pg. 16), Visual communication, images with messages, 5th edition, Wadsworth Cengage,   printed in United States.

Lester, P.M. (2011) Chapter 7 - Graphic Design

             (pp. 183-184), Visual communication, images with messages, 5th edition, Wadsworth Cengage,   printed in United States

 

 

Commericalizing Social Activity

       This paper will first briefly summarize the nature of social networking. Second, this paper will say how social networking impacted e-commerce. Third, this paper will explain how small businesses used social networking to increase their exposure. Fourth, this paper will explain how small businesses used social networking to increase their exposure. Finally, this paper will explain how it envisions that social networking will continue to enhance e-commerce in the next 2-3 years.

       The nature of social networking is that it is a form of microblogging. The idea that a blog takes much more time to maintain than a microblogging website  is the reason why microblogging has surpassed blogging networks in popularity by a large margin. In Microblogging (Facebook, Twitter, Thumbr), the user has a roster of friends and he/she  can like businesses, activities, places, products, hobbies, people, government agencies, even outerspace on their profile page.  You try to copy other people you're friends with to improve the relationship with the users new acquaintances. You write about stuff her/she has been doing, succeeded in, or events in his/her life on the wall.  The Facebook user is in a cloud where one has a blog to the  post blog entries, yet one has an acquaintance roster of places, friends and family. People can like just about anything.  It is a way to advertise.  Twitter and Thumbr are used by celebrities for fanfare. Twitter is used by political related people and Thumbr is used by celebrities and young people.  Thumbr has a lot of teenagers and young adults who prefer using this website instead of Blogspot and Wordpress. Facebook is conquering Blogspot, because Blogspot is #10 on Alexa while Facebook is #2. Youtube is #3 most visited website according to Alexa. The web ranking drives Internet users decisions in 2012. (Axon, S, 2009)(Dataportability, 2012)(Solis, B, 2009)(Solis, B, 2011)(Solis, B, 2012)(baruchnewmedia, 2012)(Owyang, J.K., 2009) (Harper, M, 2010) 

         This paper believes that social networking has impacted ecommerce, because Nielsen says 90% of people trust recommendations from people they know. Facebook has a Open Graph protocol. Based on the Facebook users Graph data as well as their own personalization algorithms, it can narrow results of what users do with their time logged onto it.  Facebook has a currency known as Facebook credits bought at Wal-mart or Target. The Facebook member can buy anything online with Facebook credits.  The business would create an e-commerce site that is compatible with Facebook credits like some ecommerce sites are compatible with Paypal.  Facebook is the preferred microblogging, because it is #2 on Alexa rankings in the United States behind Google.com.  Google+ is new complex social networking service, but few Facebook users wants to be a part of Google+. Google+ has all the features that Facebook currently has, yet few people want to move without their friends.  Google+  is similar to Chinese government building cities with contractors in Western China, yet few citizens wants to migrate to new cities without their friends, employers, businesses and family. People like to purchase stuff on their smart phone off their favorite social networking site.  I think of the movie Matrix when I see Facebook, because it is a virtual world (matrix) that has everything for the general population who don't need to visit other websites. Facebook is like your second life where you live two lives.  This kind of addiction has happened with The Sims released in 2000 by Maxis and Electronic Arts where gamers are addicted to creating a virtual life character who  does everyday activities. The Sims is the best selling PC game in history. The Sims 2 is also one of the best selling PC games in history where people are incredibly addicted to a virtual life  PC game. The point is Electronic Arts made millions in profit off The Sims franchise. The Facebook connect infrastructure to allow users to log onto websites our Facebook identity and relationships in tow, bridging the updates back to the Facebook News Feed to share with the members social graph.  In terms of Twitter followers, Some businesses will be able to clearly see online sales go up with the about of Twitter followers. It can be less about monthly figures and more about the culture on social networking sites so customers revisit.  Businesses say that they have  solidified loyalty with Twitter or Facebook.  People use social networking for meetups for a business with Facebook's invitation application where Facebook users can say they're going or maybe going to an event. (Axon, S, 2009)(Dataportability, 2012)(Solis, B, 2009)(Solis, B, 2011)(Solis, B, 2012)(baruchnewmedia, 2012)(Owyang, J.K., 2009) (Harper, M, 2010) 

          On Youtube, businesses have to advertise at the beginning of the streaming video. Youtube users have to buy views and thumbs up using an outside service like Youtube-views.com to get the attention needed in the first place to have people comment. Without Youtube-views.com, the business isn't going anywhere fast. The business would have to advertise the Youtube channel with an Youtube logo on the business homepage. (Axon, S, 2009)(Dataportability, 2012)(Solis, B, 2009)(Solis, B, 2011)(Solis, B, 2012)(baruchnewmedia, 2012)(Owyang, J.K., 2009) (Harper, M, 2010) 

          People will review business scores with Yelp if they don't have an online social networking site or not.  Some of the Yelp review scores are negative.  The business needs to make an online presence to combat the negative reviews on Yelp in a two way conversation. Businesses will need to hook up with hootsuite.com and figure out how to combat with facts and hyperlinks. (Axon, S, 2009)(Dataportability, 2012)(Solis, B, 2009)(Solis, B, 2011)(Solis, B, 2012)(baruchnewmedia, 2012)(Owyang, J.K., 2009) (Harper, M, 2010) 

       Small businesses used social networking to increase their exposure and this paper will now explain why. This paper believes that adventures in the social realm should be to listen more than the Facebook or Google+ member talks on their wall. He/she should be  scared to let go of the situation.  Individuals aren't going to be able to control the entire message. He/she should get used to this fact. People list their employer or give their own Facebook page when people  type in their employment. The most obvious benefits are increased customer loyalty and engagement. If the business wants to target professionals such as LinkedIn, and Plaxo. Social networking is great for businesses, because the employee may create his/her profile on these social networking sites and include images and information about his/her business.  It is very efficient and less costly to market your business. Businesses use social networking sites to recruit or at least lure new employees into their own companies. Social networking can be used to provide support to the customers, gain feedback and make additional sales. The online websites can help customers connect with experts and greatly reduce the time for problem solving. Social networking is also very important in the business sector, because good businesses make real-time connections with employees. Businesses have been using url shorteners such as bit.ly, because it creates a hit-counter on how many people clicked the hyperlink. You might find that your Facebook followers like to click on coupons, and your Twitter followers like breaking news. The customer is sharing their reviews for the ecommerce site so the business is supposed to give members the option of posting reviews on their Facebook or Twitter walls or Thumbr or Wordpress or Blogspot or Livejournal blogs.   The sharing information should be in the thank you page, sale confirmation email or mailing list email templates.  The business should tell the general population why they should use a certain brand or itself on Facebook and Twitter. Brands can make a living commercial on this behavior by engendering advocacy through direct engagement, blogger relations in the 'magic middle', and also via sponsored conversations. (Axon, S, 2009)(Dataportability, 2012)(Solis, B, 2009)(Solis, B, 2011)(Solis, B, 2012)(baruchnewmedia, 2012)(Owyang, J.K., 2009) (Harper, M, 2010) 

         There are a many virtual casinos on Facebook and Google+ with all the popular casino games like Poker, Blackjack, Solitaire, slots, and craps that can generate revenue for whomever created the application. I see some bidding applications where Facebook can emulate an Ebay type ecommerce site with payment options like Paypal, credit cards and Facebook credits. (Axon, S, 2009)(Dataportability, 2012)(Solis, B, 2009)(Solis, B, 2011)(Solis, B, 2012)(baruchnewmedia, 2012)(Owyang, J.K., 2009) (Harper, M, 2010)  )  

         This paper envisions social networking will continue to enhance e-commerce in the next 2-3 years, because retailers use conversion marketing to increase sales while shoppers are on their Facebook and Google+ websites. The companies have taken powerful insights gleaned from an individual shopper’s clickstream paths and inferred intent, and created an althgorium to  display the right content and products to Facebook and Google+ members at the right time  It can drive traffic from the Facebook page to the ecommerce page.  Nielsen says 90% of people trust recommendations from people they know.  If Facebook credits for ecommerce takes off, the business will see a boom. Facebook users will see their friend's likes. Right now, I can see the videogame industry profiting on this section, yet I am unsure other industries would. Many businesses today are trying to influence the members of networking communities by offering unique services. Facebook would be a great media tool for companies to market their business to all the users. Facebook is a great platform for business to interact with a wide range of people. Facebook also an efficient way to collect conduct market research based upon people’s information, ,and provide the best services for their customers. Due to the recession, most businesses are cutting down on costs by asking employees to work from home and social networks bring employees and organizations together to share and retain knowledge. There will be Go-To-Meeting type video conferencing on Facebook. Right now, you can hook a webcam onto the chat and video chat with anyone with a webcam online. There will be more games like Mafia Wars and farming applications that take facebook credits. Some of these games items take Facebook credits to buy them. (Axon, S, 2009)(Dataportability, 2012)(Solis, B, 2009)(Solis, B, 2011)(Solis, B, 2012)(baruchnewmedia, 2012)(Owyang, J.K., 2009) (Harper, M, 2010) 

         Once customers buy off social networks and make reviews, this will encourage more and more people into buying the product. The business could give the customer coupons to gain more trust. Businesses have to interact with their customers on social networks daily to be successful. There are other websites such as shareThis and AddThis for analytics. You can figure out where your site visitors are sharing your products, and that information is invaluable. The future is social colonization. This is supposed to be the next step in  social evolution with tools like such as OpenID and Facebook connect will enable individuals/members to be able to journey from network to network. This paper believes that the portability of corresponding data, social objects, and friendships the Facebook users maintain in each network becomes very  important. Facebook in the future is supposed to be automated, but businesses will still rely on the explicit expressions of Facebook users to improve the experience. Companies using Facebook should be formally catering to communities, signifying the trading of power towards connected customers. (Axon, S, 2009)(Dataportability, 2012)(Solis, B, 2009)(Solis, B, 2011)(Solis, B, 2012)(baruchnewmedia, 2012)(Owyang, J.K., 2009) (Harper, M, 2010) 

           Facebook is supposed to turn away from a CRM and even sCRM  and evolve into a Social Relationship Management (SRM) social network. This system will view all members as equals. SRM is also acutely cognizant of and in harmony with VRM (Vendor Relationship Management). This SRM is  distributing influence further than the customer landscape, distribute authority amongst stakeholders, prospects, advocates, decision makers, and peers. SRM distinguishes if Facebook user recommended a product, purchased a product, or simply recognized it publicly and this how will affect the company. The customers have a cut of the chart  that also balances , experts, partners, vendors, and other authorities. Dataportability.com  is working with Facebook to enable members to bring their friends, identity, conversations, files and histories along with them without having to open a new service.  This information will automatically be updated on other websites so the Facebook user doesn't have to input the data.  openID will connect Facebook users to third-part networks including  PayPal and Google for serious ecommerce.  This will be in harmony with Vendor Relationship Management, an opposite of CRM.  A VRM is designed to empower sentiment  and consumer participation so that the company can improve products on Facebook or Google+. (Axon, S, 2009)(Dataportability, 2012)(Solis, B, 2009)(Solis, B, 2011)(Solis, B, 2012)(baruchnewmedia, 2012)(Owyang, J.K., 2009) (Harper, M, 2010) 

        This paper first briefly summarized the nature of social networking. Second, this paper said how social networking impacted e-commerce. Third, this paper explained how small businesses used social networking to increase their exposure. Fourth, this paper explained how small businesses used social networking to increase their exposure. Finally, this paper explained how it envisions that social networking will continue to enhance e-commerce in the next 2-3 years

References

Harper, M. (2010, May 10). 5 Ways Facebook’s Open Graph Will Impact E-commerce       

        Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Mashable website

http://mashable.com/2010/05/07/facebook-open-graph-ecommerce/

Anonymous. (2012). How Business is Using Social Networking

       Retrieved May 25, 2012, from barchnewmedia website

http://baruchnewmedia.com/wiki/How_Business_is_Using_Social_Networking

Solis, B. (2011, October 31). The Future of the Social Web

     Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Blicio website

http://bub.blicio.us/the-future-of-the-social-web/

Anonymous. (2012). Dataportability.org - Share and Remix data using open standards

       Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Dataportability website

http://www.dataportability.org/

Solis, B. (2012). eBook-Blogger Relations by Brian Solis

       Retrieved May 25, 2012, from docstoc website

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/3677236/eBook-Blogger-Relations-by-Brian-Solis

Solis. B. (2009, July). Full Disclosure: Sponsored Conversations on Twitter Raise Concerns,

       Prompt Standards

       Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Briansolis website

http://www.briansolis.com/2009/07/full-disclosure-sponsored-conversations-on-twitter-raise-concerns-prompt-standards/

Owyang, J.K. (2009, June 16). The Future of Social Web

       Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Forrester website

http://web.archive.org/web/20090616064732/http://www.forrester.com/Research/Document/Excerpt/0,7211,46970,00.html?

Axon, S. (2010, March 22). How Small Businesses Are Using Social Media for Real Results

       Retrieved May 25, 2012, from Mashable website

http://mashable.com/2010/03/22/small-business-social-media-results/

Bulbs

        Is it propaganda or persuasion? This is a very good question since most of us are bombarded every day by mass media in saving our planet from destruction.  'Think green' is the slogan that everyone  should have imprinted on our minds while we do our day-to-day activities.  There are a sea of possibilities what one can do to contribute; however, should it not give an individual the freedom of choice how he/she may want to participate.  The article “Is The Light Bulb Ban A Bright Idea?” will be examined in order to determine what angle the story and its images leans  toward, propaganda or persuasion or both. I felt it is a story worth mentioning.

       In order to determine the angle of the story, first the definition between propaganda and persuasion must be made. Propaganda accordingly from our text, media uses one-sided and often 'nonfactual information' (opinions) as facts, combined with emotional appeals to change a person's mind or desired behavior. Persuasion uses 'factual information' and emotional appeals to change and promote a attitude change along with desired behavior. In both, the stirring of emotion creates 'interest' on the subject. To impress on an individual’s mind to change, accordingly to 1922 journalist and media critic, Walter Lippmann,” Pictures have always been the surest way of conveying an idea. . .next. . .with words. . .”. In this case images along with words are use to make a lasting impression on a person. (Lester, P.M. , pg.77-80, 2012)

        The title of the story “Is The Light Bulb Ban A Bright Idea” done by Popular Mechanics first intrigues the reader because it shines light on another governmental intrusion in what the public can or cannot purchase. Secondly, bold print in the first paragraph synopses how on January 1, 2012, new laws would effectively ban 100 watt incandescent light bulbs, while phasing out 40-75 watt light bulbs up-coming years, which I fact-checked. In the same bold print, it reveals Popular Mechanics investigation in the “years-long” effort building a better light bulb. Lastly, the first image in the story portrays a broken incandescent bulb revealing more interest to the reader. Is the story stirring emotions yet? You bet it is especially in which side of the isle you are standing in. The story main captive audience would be adult men and some women consumer, especially those who are attractive to Popular Mechanics, those in technology and those who run the house whole. (PopularMechanics, 2011) (Foxnews.com, 2011)

        The article updates the reader in the second paragraph with  the “year-end spending bill passed in December 2011 which includes a rider that effectively puts new energy requirements for light bulbs on hold.” at least temporary.  I fact-checked this with the government website and Washington Times website. The persuasive angle of the article continues to debate, tweaked with other lighting images of different bulbs, political rhetoric with technology in regards of modern lighting with data supporting their story on the pros and cons of various types of bulbs with experts and advocates on both sides. (PopularMechanics, 2011)( (thomas loc.gov, 2011) (washingtontimes, 2011)

          Using Aristotle three components for persuasion: ethos, logos, and pathos; this reader thought this article had more of the flavor for persuasion than propaganda. The article's author John Herrman, an assumed freelancer back by Popular Mechanics along with electrical department manager, Paul Brewer, Michael Siminovitch, director of the California Lighting Technology Center, and Nicholis Loris of the Heritage Foundation were all sources used as credible ethos. Logical pros and cons on different light bulbs, light bulb images, data and scenarios were presented in the article that was backed up by scientific data and facts acted as logos. (Lester, P.M. , pg.78, 2012)(popularmechanics, 2011)

       As mentioned earlier in the paper, the article did conjure emotion in its title, the broken incandescent bulb image with shattered glass fragments occurring on impact and arousing the reader's initial thought having the incandescent bulb being banned. Testimonials from store managers and owners and tests performed by Popular Mechanics all delivered meat to emotional appeal or pathos that are used in persuasion. In this case, this article could be leaning toward the side of green energy in a positive non-judgmental way. (Lester, P.M. , pg.78, 2012)(popularmechanics, 2011)

      Did I in any way feel there was propaganda filtrating this article, my answer would be no for reasons stated for persuasion, information was factual. Did the article portray that if and when the banned on incandescent bulbs does occur, it would be the end of the world?  I can easily say no. I did not feel I was being duped by the article but instead as a consumer, better informed for future decisions in light bulb purchasing. Regardless of political view, one has to believe sooner or later science and technology will be changing our world as we now see it, into one better world where it does not affect our out-of pocket expense so much. (popularmechanics, 2011) (Lester, P.M., pg.79-80, 2012)

References

Lester, P.M. (2011) Chapter 4 - Visual Persuasion

(pg. 77), Visual communication, images with messages, 5th edition, Wadsworth Cengage,   printed in United States.

Lester, P.M. (2011) Chapter 4 - Visual Persuasion

             (pp. 77-80), Visual communication, images with messages, 5th edition, Wadsworth Cengage,   printed in United States

Dinan, S.  (2011, December 16)  Congress overturns incandescent light bulb ban

       Received April 26, 2012 from WashingtonTimes website

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/16/congress-overturns-incandescent-light-bulb-ban/

 

Anonymous  (2012)  Bill Text 112th Congress (2011-2012) H.R.2417.IH

       Received April 26, 2012 from LOC website

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.2417:

 

Herrman, J.  (2011, September 20) Is The Light Bulb Ban A Bright Idea?

       Received April 26, 2012 from Popularmechanics website

/www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/news/is-the-light-bulb-ban-a-bright-idea-6459591

Green, H.  (2012)  As Government Bans Regular Light Bulbs, LED Replacements

      Will Cost $50 Each

       Received April 26, 2012 from LOC website

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/05/17/government-bans-regular-light-bulbs-led-replacements-cost-50/