Denotation & Connotation blog

 Denotation & Connotation blog tasks: advert analysis

1) Write an analysis of the WaterAid advert above using denotation, connotation and analysis. What can you see? What are the deeper meanings in the advert? What does the advert communicate to the audience? How might an audience react after seeing the advert?

Denotation

This printed WaterAid advertisement consists of a kid (symbolic code). It also features a hot and dry background (technical code) WaterAid logo (symbolic code) and finally a slogan which says ''Dig toilets Not graves'' (written code)

Connotation

The slogan ''Dig toilets Not graves'' shows that this is a charitable advertisement which means that it's target audience is everyone as anyone can donate to it. The connotation of putting the website name on the top left  shows what company's advertisement it is and it may also encourage you to search it up and donate to it but it doesn't have any links that directly leads it's audience to the website.

Analysis

The deliberate choice of a dry background could imply that these people are in a lot more in need for water than just toilets, historically an advert for charity can have no target audience as everyone can donate to it but the choice of just putting toilet in the advert's slogan may make some people not interested as the money  the people want to donate may be intended to go to fresh drinkable water.

2) Now choose your own choice of advert from Google images. Save it to your documents, insert it into your blogpost and write an analysis using denotation and connotation, explaining what the advert is communicating to the audience.

Denotation

This printed Nike advertisement consists of a football boot (symbolic code). It also features black and red background (technical code) Nike logo (symbolic code) and finally a slogan which says ''Unmeasurable speed'' (written code)

Connotation

The slogan ''Unmeasurable speed'' shows that this is a football boot advertisement which means that it's target audience is mainly males who are CR7 fans but it could be also directed to females because of the red or pinkish colour. The connotation of putting the website name on the top left shows what company's advertisement it is and how reputable the company is which it may also encourage you to buy the product, but it doesn't have any links that directly leads it's audience to the website or product.

Analysis

The deliberate choice of a black and red background with CR7 on it could imply that these boots will give you an advantage in a game and could potentially boost your abilities such as speed, power and more capability. historically an advert for football boots would have a target audience of ages to 8 - 20 and is for football fans especially CR7 fans but the choice of just putting "Unmeasurable speed" in the advert's slogan may make some people not interested as they might not be looking for only speed but more capabilities such as shot power better shoes quality etc.

Extension: Print advert research

Read this design blog on some of the best print adverts of all time. Choose one advert that you feel is particularly powerful in terms of its use of connotations and analyse why it is so successful

First 10 Questions

 1) Which part of Media are you looking forward to the most?

I am looking forward for Video Games

2) What knowledge and skills do you hope to learn in Media?

critical thinking, analysis, research, planning, skills of enquiry and evaluation, practical skills, creativity, time management, essay writing skills

3) What grade are you realistically hoping to achieve in Media?

It depends on what grade is the highest or almost the highest

4) What device do you use most to access the media? (The media = news, TV, music, film, social media etc.) 

What I use the most to access the media is Youtube

5) What is your average 'screen time' (or equivalent) on your phone each day. Is this about right, too little or too much? Why? 

My average screen time is 5 - 6 hours and I think it may be a little too much as I may be able to do other activities.

6) What was the last TV programme or film you watched?

I think it may have been Jumanji 

7) What device or subscription do you use to listen to music?

I use Youtube to listen to music.

8) Do you play videogames? If so, what do you play games on and what is your favourite game? 

Yes, I play games such as EA football club which is basically fifa but the name has changed and the game is also one of my favourites.

9) Are you on social media? If so, what social media do you have and why do you like it? 

Yes, I like to watch Youtube a lot as it has lots of fun content to watch.

10) Finally, do you think the media is a positive or negative thing for young people? Why?

It could be both in my opinion as it is based on what you see, search, watch and what you interact with.