If there is something that I would like anyone to know about me: I am a gamer. No, it's not as bad as you may think. Everyone needs a hobby, and video games are definitely one of them!
So being a gamer, there also comes the questions of what are my favorite types of games. One of my answers, of course, would be The Legend of Zelda! I have a deep appreciation for this series and what impact it has had on me, both as a human being and as someone that wants to immerse himself within a finely crafted world of puzzles, exploration, sword combat and even the story-telling that this series has been developing a lot from since Ocarina of Time. My love this franchise has been something I've had for a long, long time!
So what does all that have to do with a reverse engineering post that analyzes a newsfeed post? Well, Nintendo in recent years have released figurines called "Amiibo," which have exploded in popularity since 2014. Using Super Smash Brothers, another huge franchise from Nintendo, to help promote these can do that. And scrolling through Instagram, Nintendo has put up some posts through their own account to tell the world about newly released figures, with some gorgeous photography (courtesy of Instagram user captaindangerous) to boot!
This particular post was advertising the arrival of the Young Link amiibo for Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, the latest entry in the Smash franchise. Within it, I can see some great design principles at play which make this post a knockout. Pun completely intended!
COLOR
As we can see, outside of the ominous moon with a face, the photo really focuses in on Link's green outfit with the surrounding foliage of green plants. With the help of the lighting, it helps give off that forest aesthetic that is only fitting for a child that canonically grew up in the woods. This gives this post a peaceful vibe. Well, almost anyway.
CONTRAST
As mentioned before, there is that ominous moon with a face in the background. This helps provide contrast for this post with using depth of field tricks that make it appear blurred out, while focusing on the Young Link amiibo figure. For anyone that has played Majora's Mask, this is a treat to behold! It also helps provide an emotional contrast as well: an ominous presence looking to impose itself onto the peaceful environment below. Just like in Majora's Mask itself. Better use those three days wisely!
ALIGNMENT
This post uses its two subjects in a centered manner. This approach helps give a sense of visual hierarchy as previously touched upon with the emotional contrast. This design choice helps not only keep the focus strong, but also serves as fan service to those who have played Majora's Mask (which I highly recommend you do if you haven't already) and are familiar with that game's plot line. The colors and contrast are strengthened from this choice in alignment which helps make this post all the more pleasant to look at.
CONCLUSION
The photography from this post is gorgeous and the design principles used by captaindangerous helps create an advertisment for this amiibo figurine's release beautifully! The allusions to Majora's Mask was a very nice touch with this photo, which helps send the message that Nintendo appreciates the creative efforts of their fans with this kind of material. This kind of collaboration of creator and company charges up what is a powerful smash attack that blew me away!