PROJECT 2: News Headline Poster Design
DESIGN BRIEF:
1 What is the current news headline you’ve decided to work with and why?
I’ve chosen “Red Flag Gun Bill Reappears” which was in the February 15th edition of the Denver Post. I chose it because it is not only a very polarizing issue, but also because there are a number of very strong words in the headline. Red, Gun and Flag all evoke strong emotions and images. Combined, they should be able to communicate a compelling message.
2 Which historically significant designer are you using as an inspiration? List any interesting or relevant biographical details about this person?
I am going to pattern my poster after those done Saul Bass, who designed posters and titles sequences for motion pictures in the 1950’s through the 1980’s. Not only did he win Academy Awards for his work in film making and title design, he also created corporate logos for United Airlines, Quaker Oats, AT&T and Kleenex.
3 Describe the visual elements within this designer’s work? What typeface or typestyle does your designer incorporate? Color palette? Layout and grid style? Is this designer included in a particular genre, era, and/or historical design cannon?
In his posters, Bass always used bold colors, simple elements and frequently a free form typeface that looks hand lettered. His compositions only include a few elements that strongly communicate the message on multiple levels. Among the movie industry his work is considered iconic and he has influenced a generation of graphic artists working in film. His poster for “Man with the Golden Arm” is considered a classic example of his work.
4 Discuss relevant themes, concepts, or issues from your designer’s work? i.e. political, corporate, educational
All of Bass’s posters seem to work on multiple levels, using color, composition and design to deliver the advertising message. His poster for the movie “Anatomy of a Murder” is a great example, where is shows a dismembered body as the primary design element. Along with alluding to a crime scene that must be pieced together, he uses bright primary colors to offset the body outline.
5 What connections (aesthetic and/or conceptual) can you make with your news headline and your designer?
Contrasting colors and elements seem to be a constant theme in Bass’ posters. His poster for the movie “The Shining” uses just high contrast black and yellow with a sinister child peering through the type. The pixelated face is lit from below to enhance the sinister and eerie feeling, exactly the message that should be conveyed for a horror film.
Ctl+G(raphics) 