Advertisementslike books, movies, posters, and paintingscan act as sociocultural “texts”
that are read and interpreted by consumers. In this case, advertising:
a. is an entity separate from mass media.
b. relies largely on words rather than images.
c. helps to transmit meaning within a culture.
d. lacks giving products a social meaning.
Scenario 11-5
A hospital is attempting to change its image. In the past, the hospital has been perceived
as having a high degree of expertise across all medical services, but also as having a
cold and unfeeling atmosphere. This has resulted in the hospital losing business in
situations where patients feel that a procedure is simple enough that any hospital can
perform it equally well. The decision is made to hire a local advertising agency. The
agency’s creative director meets with the hospital marketing director to develop a
creative brief. It focuses on print ads for local newspapers and regional magazines, and
states that the advertising for the hospital must create feelings of caring and warmth,
without explicitly stating that the hospital “cares”a tactic that has been used again and
again by other medical institutions.
One thing that the art director has learned is that ads should lead the reader’s gaze in a
logical path that includes the brand name. Which of the following elements of design
does this involve?
a. Order
b. Proportion