Relay Walk This Way

As I come closer and closer to finishing my college career, I can't help but think about my first graduation, that moment when I received my High School diploma (and out of order, as somehow our Senior class of 500+ failed to learn how the alphabet works).

Sadly, one of the most prominent memories of that time was a lack of attendance by my grandparents, as both passed away earlier in the year. My grandmother did not survive her battle with cancer.

I am not alone in being affected by cancer's hold on loved ones, which makes supporting the efforts of Relay for Life that much more important a mission. Being able to focus on how to spread the message about such a positive and rewarding campaign rocked.

No, really.

I was thrilled when my suggestion of Rockin' Relay was chosen from the themes tossed around during our mock advertising agency's brainstorming session. As a member of the print group, I was able to come up with some concepts for potential posters should the theme be picked up by Relay for Life in the future.

One of the first ideas to come to me was the idea of "blue suede shoes" to play off the walking done at the relay and the famous Elvis Presley song.

I am extremely satisfied with the result, as I do think the image of shoes on the pavement is an eye-catching and fun way to promote relay related events.

However, after reading more about Public Service Advertising, I do think there are some ways this poster could be improved. For example, Relay for Life is quite frequently represented by the color purple. There is little to no purple in the blue suede shoes poster, and though the Relay for Life logo is clearly present, it could be taken as an after thought. Because purple was present in the other Rockin' Relay posters I created (2 more, plus a pin), a splash more purple could bring this poster in with the rest of the campaign and make it more recognizable. Perhaps the chalk writing could have been a light purple rather than a white color. Subtle, but it could really make the difference.

As a member of the print group, I was not only able to create my own posters, but I was also given the opportunity to help other members of the team learn new Photoshop tricks. There was nothing better than having the magic wand tool feel magical again!