Target Uses ‘Web 2.0 Aesthetic’ to Peg College Kids

target-planner-dreamer.jpg

I recently saw this cute rich media ad for Target’s “Happy Together” campaign, targeted to college kids.

Its composed of harmonious extremes that appear one after the other, like flash cards: planner + dreamer, night owl + morning bird, extrovert +introvert. The accompanying illustrations remind me of the work of Liling Yu, who created Twitter’s FailWhale.

Yu’s art totally personifies the Web 2.0 aesthetic: bug-eyed animal friends, soothing pastels, and non-confrontational sans-serif typefaces, all culminating in brands that seem to want to play with us. That Target knows to tap into all this is part of what keeps it young, fresh and lively.

Picture of Steve Hall

Steve Hall

RECENT ARTICLES

TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

9 signs you’re a deeper thinker than most people realize

9 signs you’re a deeper thinker than most people realize

Hack Spirit

8 quiet signs you’re doing better in life than you give yourself credit for

8 quiet signs you’re doing better in life than you give yourself credit for

Hack Spirit

9 phrases classy people use to shut down rudeness without raising their voice

9 phrases classy people use to shut down rudeness without raising their voice

Hack Spirit

9 signs you’re outgrowing the version of yourself that needed everyone’s approval

9 signs you’re outgrowing the version of yourself that needed everyone’s approval

Hack Spirit

You’re more emotionally mature than you think if you do these 8 small things

You’re more emotionally mature than you think if you do these 8 small things

Hack Spirit

People who can disagree with you without making it awkward usually do these 7 things

People who can disagree with you without making it awkward usually do these 7 things

Hack Spirit