Ad Analysis: Glassex Window Cleaner

In this clever ad for Glassex window cleaner, a magician is depicted “levitating” a woman. However, it is alluded to that the woman is actually laying on a glass case, unseen due to the cleanness of the surface. In terms of line, the lines are commonly sharp and long, with the curved lines reserved for only the two figures in the ad. The floor and the curtains employ long, unstopped lines, while the magician and the woman’s lines are much more organic in relation to each other. This also causes the two figures to have more emphasis, as their flowing outlines blend easily into each other where they are connected, while the straight lines of the curtain and floor create even more contrast between them. The shapes used in the ad also create

This accounts for a large part of the image, which one may even go so far as to say is the most important part of the ad considering the visual interest involved in the shape. Continuing with the theme of the contrast between the background and the two figures, the texture and value employed in the ad exemplify the emphasis of the magician and the woman. In terms of texture, the background is overall very smooth while the people utilize a variety of different textures. The people both have smooth skin, but the woman’s embroidery on her dress makes it bumpy and the man’s hands appear rough with pronounced bones and wrinkles. The value near the edges of the ad, especially in the background, are very dark in comparison to the well-lit figures. However, there is high contrast between the highlights and shadows throughout the piece, not in just one centralized area. Overall, the value of the ad leans much closer to the darker end of the spectrum, with the minimal lighter areas having heightened

Along with the value, the colors are also mostly dark and are shone in high contrast with one another. Blues are incredibly prevalent in the piece, with the background curtain employing a dark navy and the woman’s dress being a slightly lighter, greener shade of blue. There is one singular use of red in the ad, and that is on the magician’s flower lapel. Other than that and the skin tones of the two figures, the piece is devoid of any warm shades. Even the white used in the magician’s hair and his shirt are cool toned, and one could argue that his suit reflects the same navy tinge seen in