(A)
The Honda Odyssey ad features the vehicle in a dark parking lot. Fireworks shoot up around the
car while dramatic stage lights beam down. Behind the whole scene, a dimly lit cityscape glows.
The male pictured stares in wonder—after all, one would not expect to encounter such a show,
much less about a minivan, The juxtaposition of rockstar stage and van challenge the reader to
look deeper. The background of the advertisement changes the perspective of what society thinks
a minivan is. In the context of the picture, the lights and fireworks illustrate the “old school” rock
concerts held back in the 70’s. The van transports men to their journey to a rock concert, making
them feel like back in the days (awk/unclear). The background changes the perspective of the
feminine, “soccer mom” kid-mobile into a “manly” van. The background catches and attracts the
reader to the car by making the van majestic (w.C). with the lighting and city in the background.
(B)
Honda attempts to dismiss the stereotypical family car by presenting the “cool guy van.”
Utilizing a scheme of blue and cool tones, the color palette helps to reinforce masculinity. While
blue is often associated with stability and tranquility—like the skies and oceans—it works here
as …. The color blue is in the spotlights, streetlights, and the man’s shirt and jeans. It is the hue
of the van as well. This ad is in Maxim, which is a men’s magazine. As aforementioned, the
color blue is a masculine color. The magazine of the ad and the color scheme coalesce to deliver
the new, manly van.
(C )
“5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Are you ready to embark in this adventure?” The Honda Company sells the idea
that despite the perception of the van being a family car, it can also be for young men to embark
on an adventure. In the ad, the posture of the young male shows how blown away he is by the
van. The audience can tell this by his shocked look, especially by his open month—makeing him
appear as if he gasps in amazement. His reaction reflects the designer’s portrayal of the van as
“Rock Star.” The designers suggest that if the young consumer buys the vehicle, he will have the
time of his life.
(D)
In the Honda Odyssey ad, on the bottom left corner the ad reads, “Van. Myth. Legend”; all the
letters are capitalized. The word “VAN” isn’t italicized and is in a normal bolded font. “MYTH”
is slightly italicized and has a bold font. The word “LEGEND” is more dramatically italicized
and has a bold font reinforcing attention on that specific word. The connection between the ad
and the words, starting with “VAN,” is the product being sold. “MYTH” is the second word in
the phrase because society thinks of vans as for families, or soccer moms. The word “LEGEND”
is completely italicized because in the 60’s and 70’s era; at that time, vans symbolized a lifestyle
of concerts, adventures, and exploration. The van modeled shows that buying this product will
reconnect with this era and stir feelings of youth and fearlessness in its targeted male consumers.
(E)
The element of design in which we'll discuss is the Background or Setting the advertiser is trying
to portray. The Honda ad designers utilize setting and background to develop their overall thesis.
The ad is set in a mid-urban parking lot of a grocery store. The image of a city skyline in the
background of the parking lot allows the reader to infer the urban setting. The van stands (wc) in
the center of the ad as clouds of white smoke contrast with the dark parking lot. The author ad
creators portray the van as a newer, much sleeker design that has returned better and more
convenient. The van is placed into the parking lot with The brilliant firework display shooting
up around the van aim to attract male 22-30 year old city dwellers who attend concerts. This
quashes the stereotypical suburban, soccer mom van as the advertisers deliver the epic light stage
with pyrotechnics and clouds of projected smoke.
(F)
If Honda sells you this van, they’re selling you the idea that this van isn’t just for the
stereotypical soccer mom, it’s for everyone. For example, the van symbolizes the rock star
lifestyle. This shows that young men with life’s always on the go can still drive that “cool car.” If
you buy this product you will be the envy of all your friends. This van is used for everyday life
without the stereotypical past view of mini vans. This brings me to the young man’s appearance.
(G)
Honda uses a night setting, something not typically seen in the stereotypical soccer mom
minivan ad. The van is accompanied by fog,sparks,and spotlights, normally seen at rock
concerts. This sells the idea that a minivan can hold appeal to a variety of people. Specifically
targeting men inn the early twenties to mid thirties who used to travel in caravans in vans
following rock bands The picture brings a nostalgic feeling towards rock bands and their trailing
caravans.
(H)
Honda is trying to sell this van mainly focusing on young men audience. In front of the van
you can see an amazed man who is standing and looking at the van. The ad was made with main
colors and rock star theme. It shows a man that is not old with hip style. The description shows
that this van was made fro men because it says V-6 Engine, 28 HWY MPG, and powerful and
efficient. "Vanlier than ever" tell us that this ad is straight to men along with the rock star theme
behind. Its for men because only men cares about the engine, speed, and powerful cars. They
picked hips clothing to attract the young men especially age 20-27. Buy this minivan and you
will not feel girly. It helped them by expanding the customer base. This connect to the
Background and the settings of the ad because we can clearly see that its taken in parking lot.