DESIGN PROSE

Medium: Microsoft PowerPoint, Photoshop, Gemini AI, Adobe Stock

Styles & Techniques: Print Design, Poster Design, Advertising

This creative exercise proved to be an educational and experimental experience. The process involved modernizing and sprucing up a rather muddled and archaic street pole poster for Arizona Grill and Lounge in Toronto. Two versions of this poster were made just to see which would look most neat, clear, pleasing to the eye, and, most importantly, inclusive of all the information on the original poster. 

ORIGINAL VERSION

My immediate reaction upon seeing this street pole poster was that its layout was disorganized, cluttered, and overwhelming, not to mention quite outdated. I initially assumed it was an amateur advertisement for a questionable business.

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Later, during my research, I was surprised to find out that it was actually an advertisement for a respectable eating establishment in the area: Arizona Grill and Lounge. I felt that this restaurant deserved a poster that better reflected its legitimacy, as well as the high quality of its products and services. ​

As I began the project, I discovered that the poster was promoting Arizona Grill and Lounge’s Specials Menu. This realization made it clear that the layout needed to clearly highlight what was being advertised.

REVISED POSTER (TWO VERSIONS)

I decided to create two updated versions of the original poster to determine which layout would best display the info for the restaurant’s Specials Menu. It was essential to clearly present the different sections and options outlined in the menu. Both versions considered Arizona Grill and Lounge’s existing colour scheme, which, based on the official site's layout, prominently features bright reds. However, given the poor contrast between the main shade of red and the white text, I opted for milder and darker colours that would ensure better contrast while still adhering to the same colour scheme.

The first version was designed with a general advertisement in mind. It features a central, tasteful image showcasing all the Specials Menu options, with the individual options neatly listed on the side and accompanied by icons for further distinction. Taking into account the emphasis on the Organic Bison Burger in the original poster, I also included an eye-catching message highlighting the special pricing for the Arizona Organic Burger. Ultimately, my priority was to organize all the info clearly and legibly so that readers could easily find and understand everything. For instance, all contact info was placed in the upper right corner, and each dish's details were neatly organized under its corresponding title.

This organizational method was largely facilitated by using an F-Pattern layout, which reflects how our eyes move while reading. In this case, readers would first see the restaurant’s logo, then the photograph of the full Specials Menu plate, followed by the details of the menu, contact info, and other relevant details.

In the second version, I aimed to emphasize each dish individually. Each dish now features a high-quality photograph with its accompanying info placed underneath. This layout allowed for clearer allocation of information, such as specifying that the Arizona Organic Burger’s deal is part of the 1/2 Price Lunch & Dinner. The additional space created by this image-centric layout also provided room for a QR code linked to the official site’s contact page, accompanying the call to action to book events at the restaurant.