xanadu - event banner.

this is a .gif banner ad for a fictional island getaway, all names & brands in the copy below are self-created or used with permission from collaborators (ie. lyra leblanc isn't my own creation, but a friend's, & she's a sort of 'kim kardashian'-esque figure in my writing community's universe portrayed by actress shannon thornton).

the event was mapped out by a team of four, including myself, though this graphic is my own creation, using photoshop to edit free stock video footage for the .gif texture created in the background & free online sources for fonts, images, & the line/wire texturing in the background, which was warped to have a stable, subtle element set in front of the one in motion along with the text & camera framing.

i wanted, above all, to convey an almost magical tone through visuals to mirror the chosen name being 'xanadu'–– a nod to both the cult classic film & the definition as synonymous with a realm akin to many perceptions of heaven or nirvana–– while keeping a contemporary feel that felt real & conscious of our premise's use of modern technology as a pillar. it was important that the graphic stayed warm in terms of palette & color, especially when it came to making sure the central figure wasn't misrepresented through any sort of whitewashing. that led me to thinking more of sun & sand of beaches & the often colorful cocktails we find tailored to suit the season. the ocean got its nod through the movement in the background, so working up a palette that was vibrant & eye-catching as well as complementary to the model naturally started centered around the hot pink of her dress, then bled into inclusion of paler pinks, yellows, & light to medium oranges. in the midst of creation, a sunset's start came to mind, & i ran with the idea as inspiration, though i didn't want to recreate the image of a sunset, as locking into one setting felt too concrete for the flexible nature of the event i'd created with my team.

the two names near the lower right hand corner, sattari & caelestis, are both fictional sponsors in different fields, each highlighted in their styles through font but made simple to understand as sponsors with a '+'. the plus sign as an indicator of their involvement with the event as opposed to a larger, perhaps more standard, 'sponsored by...' in its place felt contemporary & 'technical', in adherence with the practicality of the wire details & to contrast with the billowing fuchsia of the garment behind it as well as the title's 'glowing' text effect & pathway being bent to lean back on the beachy feel.