By Manila Ryce
Published Monday, December 31st, 2007, 5:23 pm
Filed under: Videos: Political, Videos, US Politics

5 Responses to “Happy New Years”

1. Manila, This was the first Weekly Update that I actually found interesting, though I admit I stopped watching them some time ago. I liked the varying views and, yes, your graphics. All I will say is that the last one was obscured a bit by the YouTube logo in the bottom right corner, but I was still able to see the compelling numbers.

   FYI- The Google Ad I am looking right now on your blog says, “Hillary for 2008? Vote Here Now”- uggh, unfortunate.

   Happy New Year. Thanks for all you do on DK’s election behalf. He is the voice of change and I wish more people were seeing that. I am hoping for fair elections and that lots of folks who vote in online polls go vote for Kucinich.

   freidabee
   01/1/08 at 1:54 am
   

2. Hi Manila -

   I used to work (so long ago) at an advertising agency in L.A. — and I learned a trick when editing graphics: watch the commercial without sound. You will not be as distracted by the content and you can assess the effectiveness of the graphics.

   The number one thing I notice across the board is that the YouTube bug is in the way. Because you do not have control over the bug’s placement, you need to design around it. Your graphics kept getting obscured with it, especially when you had long text. I would not center the text — keep it flush left, and you can probably avoid overrunning the YouTube bug. it is a shame when it is the DK web address (which does not stay on the screen long enough).

   The second thing that caught my eye is the color pallet. You should stick to the colors established in DK’s bug. You have a red, white, blue, and black to work with. Although I like the opacity of the red swash, it clashes with the red in the DK bug on the left. Maybe instead use a left-to-right gradient fade? I would also re-size the swash so that it is the same size as DK’s bug. The bug, being a square, lends itself to being the anchor of the swash, but breaking the horizon with the square is not really effective. If it were a different shape, then it would be a great look. But I was not sure if this was a design decision or an accident - they are close to the same width, but not enough to make it worthwhile.

   The various small titles that appear with the introduction of the speakers (”Actor, activist”) are distracting from the main title — the person’s name. I’m not sure they add much value, and again, they break the horizon. The placement of them, above the YouTube bug is good, it does not get obscured. Out of curiosity, why didn’t everyone get one? or get the swash with their names on it?

   I love, Love, LOVE the graphics for the poll updates (about 4:30 seconds) — it’s cool that it completes the roundness of the globe — that’s a great touch. I’m not keen on the seafoam-colored drop shadow on the inside curve - I think you might be introducing too many colors into your pallet. I would stick with the colors in the branding you already established with the DK bug.

   Oops, about the 5 minute mark, one of the poll numbers crosses the YouTube bug and you cannot read it. I think you could scroll the numbers upward (more motion).

   The two commentaries have no graphics, not even their names. It jumps out as being separate from the rest of the production. I would be consistent about that, and insert the swash again.

   The production values are very high — this is excellent work.

   Regards,

   Tengrain

   Tengrain
   01/1/08 at 5:24 pm
   

3. I watched this video on Youtube’s website, and since the box is a bit bigger there than here, there were no issues with the youtube logo blocking Manilla’s graphic.

   Anyway I agree this was the most interesting update yet. Rick Overton was actually interesting this time. He really ruined at least one of the updates with his “rockin’ out to Spearhead” comment. More from Davis Fleetwood is always good.

   Andy
   01/1/08 at 7:16 pm
   

4. Up with Kucinich, hell yes, but I didn’t find this terribly compelling to watch. The news lady is too cheery and encouraging — becomes saccharine after a bit, especially since she’s only given DK’s movements to announce. I’d like to have heard his planks repeated.

   I didn’t find Davis Fleetwood’s piece effective: presenting from an echoing rock-hewn chamber of some kind seemed an odd choice for a positive message.

   So — two bits.

   Thanks for staying loud about Kucinich, by the way.

   Butter
   01/1/08 at 8:57 pm
   
5. 

   Thanks to you all. Most of you said the graphics were blocked by the YouTube label, but this is only true of the smaller embedded videos here. On this blog, we made embedded videos smaller, which results in the YouTube logo blocking more than it would if embedded on another blog or on the YouTube site itself.

   I also have no control over what they decide to do with my graphics or how often they’re used. I’m not the editor, but will definitely pass on some of the great suggestions here.

   Critiques on the color palette are dually noted. They wanted reds to contrast the overwhelmingly blue set, but perhaps a more harmonious balance can be achieved. I’m not too keen on the seafoam curve of the side panel either Tengrain. Maybe a more neutral color?

   Manila Ryce
   01/2/08 at 6:24 am
   

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