Black & Decker Grasshog

I can see the humor, but with as many independent women and non-traditional families, I could see the connotation being negative.

Otherwise you've executed the idea well.

interesting and well-executed, but i agree w/thomas.wrench. the concept has as much potential to backfire as it does to succeed.

The reversed text in the yellow sky is difficult to read; I'd hit it with Black & Decker's green to tie in with the usage of their orange in the subhead or a simple black. Also, watch your kerning--it's off in several spots.

The photoshop work on the house, unless on purpose, went a little far in the area of the chimney--its face is missing. It appears to be a home of neglect or one that has recently been ravaged by fire. Why not use instead a white picket fence type illustration...make it a little more welcoming and friendly.

Overall, though, the humour is falling flat here for me, a member of your target audience. I'd really reconsider showing the attributes of the product in another manner, and take into consideration where this ad will be run. If in a male-oriented rag, you're going to insult the men, the product's true purchasing market; if in a woman's mag I'd flip right by it. I know nothing of these products nor do I care to. Lawn work does not fall under my heading of household duties. But that's just the lay of the land in our home. Maybe many other women strap on the yard work tools and make like Rambo on an invasive lawn.

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa

Sad as it is, a 50s ad would never have portrayed a man in this light. Even though it is probably a true observation. :)

It's not badly designed. I just think the logo needs to be more prominent. "Make that logo bigger!" :) And the headline copy doesn't have any 50s style. I'd suggest looking at old signs for inspiration on this one and pick a bolder font.

Just needs a little work and then you've got something. Thanks for sharing!

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Powerpoint is not a design application

The only thing that says 50's to me is the woman. The rest of the ad appears undecided. Try looking at some of the ads here or on google. I think the major problem with this is that it lacks consistency -- either make it completely 50's or don't.

The other thing is that I find the last thing I look at is the grasshog. Prolly not a good thing. ;) Remember that eyes, no matter how big or small they are, become an instant focal point. The woman is what I first see and what I keep on looking at. Then the picture in the background. Then the grasshog. The grasshog is VERY small compared to everything else in the ad. I don't think you need a huge logo, but you do need to emphasize the product you're selling if it is that specific (ie. an actual tool, not "Black and Decker" in general.)

Also, the woman looks very cut & pasted. Did you mean to do that? She looks flat like a piece of paper.

What is this ad for? If it is in a men's magazine - it probably would prove less effective. I'm thinking this is something more for "Better Homes and Gardens" type of audience. Even so, I don't think it's a very good concept, as others have pointed out. It's not an accurate portrayal of women's opinion on men in that period, nor is it now.

Also, why a log cabin (or similar) in the background? I would think more of a suburb "perfect cut lawn and landscaping" scene would be better -- as cookie-cutter as you can get. I didn't grow up in the 50's, so I'm probably not the most accurate opinion of what represents the time period, but I know what makes me think of 50's when I see it.

Hope that helps.

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My Portfolio

Okay, as your target audience, I love this. This kind of ad gets my attention, is funny, and will be remembered. I would make the reverse type black. The red text will still really stand out. It will just make it a little easier to read.

I think the only thing other than that is that the actual grasshog should have lines coming off of it like you would see in that era-- like it's glowing (think batman "pow" but not to such an extreme). You know what I'm talking about?

Otherwise, very good job. I think it's spot on. No, women from the 50s wouldn't be saying this. That's WHY it's so outstanding!

The underlying concept is there, but the execution is not so hot. The stylized photo is wrong, as is the color of the sky, it's a bit to psychedelic for the 50s. The trees are too dominant. Could just be me, but the image of the woman seems more 40s than 50s.

While the logo size seems fine to me, the product is way undersized.

The descriptor copy at the bottom is awkwardly positioned, it doesn't really line up with anything, and the headline is squeezed between the tree and the chimney. Headline placement may work, if you make it smaller. Also half of the chimney is missing.

Check out 'letterhead fonts' for some retro type.

I didn't think this sort of thing was funny when my gender was the butt of the humor, and I don't think it's funny now, with the victim roles reversed. But that's not the main problem. What's really wrong here is there are too many anomalies juggling for joke space. Weed-whackers didn't exist in the 50s; people trimmed around fences, garden edges, etc. using manual grass shears or an edger. The woman's look is 1940s. The house is 1960s.The funky color distortion is 70s. The cynicism and toxicity of the message is 90s. And let me guess: the designer is 80s.

Oy! My poor widdle girlie bwain hurts!

...yes, good work...

...i think they need a more "feminine" looking trimmer though...

...maybe with pink fluffy handles, pink body and a make up pouch!!

...or a big hairy woman trimming her leg hairs with it...

: )