Billboard advertising for our Pepsi ads

After discussed with the group members, we decided to choose billboard ads as our media to advertise the Pepsi.

How to Design a Billboard

Billboard design can be an overwhelming task if you are designing one for the first time. But it does not have to be overwhelming. (Zachary.F, 2012, online)

1. Simplicity rules

• Billboard design consisted just 3 main components : A compelling image, a unique and emotionally charged headline and the company name, logo and contacts info. 
• Keep it simple, According to marketing experts, an effective billboard message takes less than 10 seconds to read. (eHow, 2012, online). Keep the copy length around 7 words or lesser. The fewer word the easier and faster to understand and recall the message.

2. Use high contrasting colours

• Bold and high contrasting colours will get more attention.

3. No fancy style fonts

• Thin or script fonts are very hard to read from far.
• Use thick and simple fonts to increase the legibility at long distance.
• Keep ample space between individual letters to avoid blurring, and avoid ALL CAPS, they’re less legible

4. Use BIG font size

• Larger from allow to read from far, give viewer more time to process the message (minimum 18'' tall with 3' and taller being optimal. ) It not only increase the readability and also adds life to the message.

5. Outstanding Photography

• High resolution images (minimum 300 dpi)
• Huge scale will make BIG visual splash, displaying one central image that’s 25' wide rather than five dinky images that lack emotional impact from a distance.

6. Laser focus on 1 main object

• No extra time for multiple features, long mission statement and all-inclusive contact info
• Make one point with impact.

7. Narrow down the target audience

• Ensure your billboard speaks one-on-one to their specific needs
• Establish a meaningful emotional connection with prospects, to make them recall the message.

8. Use story element to grab their attention

• Use a vivid mental picture with storyline to create excitement, suspense and delights to the bored drivers.

9. Scout a location

• Distance your billboard from the traffic and the average speed of vehicles in the area are essential elements to keep in mind for effective billboard design.(Zachary.F, 2012, online)

10. Tips and Warnings

• Never use white or sky blue as background colours
• The human eye moves left to right so put your imagery on the left side of your billboard design to attract more attention. 
• The closer your billboard is to traffic, the more copy you can include. The further your billboard is from traffic, the less copy you should use. (Zachary.F, 2012, online)

References:

1. eHow, 2012. How to Design a Billboard. [online] Available at: <http://www.ehow.com/how_5410771_design-billboard.html> [Accessed 21st November 2012]
2. eHow, 2012. How to Advertising on Billboard. [online] Available at: <http://www.ehow.com/how_4453989_advertise-billboards.html> [Accessed 21st November 2012]
3. DesignMyBillboard, 2010. Top 10 billboard design tips to ensure...Your billboard grabs eyeballs and burns into brain cells! [online] Available at: <http://www.designmybillboard.com/designprinciples.htm> [Accessed 21st November 2012]

by Nicole Yong