Comment by ruswick | Hacker News Reader

Comment by ruswick | Hacker News Reader

I dislike the aesthetic of the ad. The edge of the iPad is aligned exactly to the edge of the magazine. At first glance, I thought this was some sort of printing error: it look egregious. I like the asymmetry, but there is some sort of mottled grey texture behind the majority of the page which is grating. I appreciate that the cover depicted on the device is identical to that of the actual magazine. As for the exaltation due to the 'feat' that it "immediately displays how I can use the device in real life," I don't believe that that is unique to the ad. Most advertisements show how the product can be used. That sort of how ads work. There's very little value in showing a product that isn't functioning or showing a feature or facet that the product doesn't have.

It's a passable ad, nothing more.

The edge of the iPad is aligned exactly to the edge of the magazine.

This framing suggests that the iPad is to scale and isn't scaled down (as it might be assumed to be if it were centered). All of the blank space is also supposed to give you a sense of how small it is relative to the magazine.

I recognize the effect that they are trying to achieve. I'm just asserting that it looks bad.

When I first turned over my copy of the issue, I was holding the magazine by the corner exactly as one would hold a portrait iPad mini. In addition to showing the actual size, I think having it aligned with the edge of the magazine is meant to give the impression of holding an iPad.

Anecdotally, I thought the effect was neat, and spent a few more seconds than I otherwise would have on it.

That's interesting, I bet that's why they put it on the edge. I never thought of that because I was reading the magazine on a table.

The "mottled grey texture" is probably a result of my camera. The actual magazine is pure white (as with most Apple ads).

As with it being aligned to the edge of the magazine, I also agree that a little padding might have been nice.

I have an similar add (from the last New Yorker) in my possession, and the effect is pretty conspicuous. Maybe it's just with the New Yorker...

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