Black Swan - Feather inspiration
As I mentioned previously, feathers would be a large inspiration in my idea generation for the Black Swan work. It just so happens that I have found some nice examples of existing work using type and feathers.
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Below: Lily piyathaisere
I found this on Behance. The type is completely readable and I assume it is based on a common script font. It is executed beautifully and it isn't too 'in your face' with the feather idea, it is quite discreet.
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1. Designed by Op Hop (taken from Behance) - I like this because its is so obvious that its type made out of feathers - it seems quite playful and the colours are beautiful. Although I really like it, for the subject of Black Swan, I don't think playfulness is too appropriate.
2. HandMadeFont.com - I like this for the same reason as the Flash Mob one - that it is so clearly feathers. The colour and crafting make it slightly less playful and more 'soft and delicate'. I like how, on both 1. and 2. that they have little hints of feather around the edge to give it a border
3. Not sure who design it - Having seen the film, this typography is probably the most relevant as there is a recurring idea in the film of feathers breaking through the lead dancers skin and on this type, it is almost as if the feathers are just breaking out of the type as it isn't completely made of feathers. Very beautifully executed.
2. HandMadeFont.com - I like this for the same reason as the Flash Mob one - that it is so clearly feathers. The colour and crafting make it slightly less playful and more 'soft and delicate'. I like how, on both 1. and 2. that they have little hints of feather around the edge to give it a border
3. Not sure who design it - Having seen the film, this typography is probably the most relevant as there is a recurring idea in the film of feathers breaking through the lead dancers skin and on this type, it is almost as if the feathers are just breaking out of the type as it isn't completely made of feathers. Very beautifully executed.
The King's Speech - 'Keep calm and carry on' inspiration
I'm fully aware that this design has become somewhat 'overused' recently (as the examples of variations show i.e. keep calm and rock on, and the fact you can buy a t-shirt in Primark with something like 'Stay calm and carry on' on the front), but I think the common layout works well as a starting point.
I don't intend to work with this type etc. but it will be an underlying inspiration in the idea generation process.
I don't intend to work with this type etc. but it will be an underlying inspiration in the idea generation process.
The Fighter - Boxing poster inspiration
I think the idea of basing a 'new' poster design on vintage boxing posters is quite a common idea now, but I have mainly looked at them for the way that they use different type in terms of weight etc. and how most of the type is uppercase.
I don't want to just copy one of the layouts and replace the type with the quote I have chosen but I like the vintage textures, colours and typefaces used.
I don't want to just copy one of the layouts and replace the type with the quote I have chosen but I like the vintage textures, colours and typefaces used.
The last poster is actually of a typeface made out of boxing equipment by Will Haywood, its not particularly legible so it would be very appropriate for a film poster but it is a nice example of creative typography!
True Grit - Western inspiration
Knowing that True Grit was a remake of the 1969 version, I have looked at some of the previous posters.
The first one doesn't really communicate 'western' to me but I do like the layout. The second and third examples do just with there choice of colour and especially the type used on the second example.
The first one doesn't really communicate 'western' to me but I do like the layout. The second and third examples do just with there choice of colour and especially the type used on the second example.
To reinforce the western inspiration I looked at a few more, typically 'western' looking pieces of work. There is definately a strong link in colour use like the washed out, stained background and black/dack brown image/type.
The 3:10 to yuma piece is a pretty recent example of work and I really like the textures that it uses and monotone image.
The bottom examples are, I feel, a more 'modern' take on a western idea, especially the last one in its use of colour. The colour isn't something I will be taking inspiration from but I like the typefaces.
The 3:10 to yuma piece is a pretty recent example of work and I really like the textures that it uses and monotone image.
The bottom examples are, I feel, a more 'modern' take on a western idea, especially the last one in its use of colour. The colour isn't something I will be taking inspiration from but I like the typefaces.
Typographic film posters
When I wrote the brief, the whole intention of it was to produce typographic posters with an appropriate context.
To support the appropriateness of using film promotion as a context for my typographic, I have found existing examples of general films that use largely typography in their posters.
To support the appropriateness of using film promotion as a context for my typographic, I have found existing examples of general films that use largely typography in their posters.
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1. Invasion (2007) - This example is extremely hand crafted and although it is quite basic, it works well in that background and it doesn't need anymore detail.
2. Dancer in the Dark (2000) - This is an extremely simple design to look at, even more so than the Invasion poster, but it communicates all the relevant information so technically it does work.
3. Big Fish (2003) - This has been one of my favourite movie posters/dvd covers etc. since I first saw it. I always thought it was weird that it was called Big Fish and a tree is the main imagery, but after seeing the film it makes sense. Working with type in this way is definately something I want to work with.
4. Beautiful Losers (2008) - This Beautiful Losers poster is very 'fun'! I really like the hand crafted feel to it and the bold colours that have been used.
5. Gang's of New York (2002) - Using the words to create the shape of a hat, and actually give a 3D shape works extremely well on this poster. It isn't the easiest thing to read, but I still think it works and I would be much more likely to keep a poster like this instead of the 'Dancer in the dark' poster.
6. The Limits of Control (2009) - This kind of reminds me of a James Bond poster, I think that's due to the colour and the circle with an image of a man inside it. I also really like the type.
7. Sex and the City (2008) - This is a little more digital that the work I aim to produce but the colour and composition of the type are aspects that I really like.
8. Juno (2007) - I have always liked the illustration associated with Juno, especially the opening sequence. This poster is yet another example of Juno related work that I like. The bold colours and hand crafted type are so in your face, and it's particularly relevant as its just a quote.
9. Burn After Reading (2008) - The type in this is one of my favourites - all the letters are different so I assume it is hand rendered. The colours also work really well.
The range in years show that typographic posters are always an effective design direction.
2. Dancer in the Dark (2000) - This is an extremely simple design to look at, even more so than the Invasion poster, but it communicates all the relevant information so technically it does work.
3. Big Fish (2003) - This has been one of my favourite movie posters/dvd covers etc. since I first saw it. I always thought it was weird that it was called Big Fish and a tree is the main imagery, but after seeing the film it makes sense. Working with type in this way is definately something I want to work with.
4. Beautiful Losers (2008) - This Beautiful Losers poster is very 'fun'! I really like the hand crafted feel to it and the bold colours that have been used.
5. Gang's of New York (2002) - Using the words to create the shape of a hat, and actually give a 3D shape works extremely well on this poster. It isn't the easiest thing to read, but I still think it works and I would be much more likely to keep a poster like this instead of the 'Dancer in the dark' poster.
6. The Limits of Control (2009) - This kind of reminds me of a James Bond poster, I think that's due to the colour and the circle with an image of a man inside it. I also really like the type.
7. Sex and the City (2008) - This is a little more digital that the work I aim to produce but the colour and composition of the type are aspects that I really like.
8. Juno (2007) - I have always liked the illustration associated with Juno, especially the opening sequence. This poster is yet another example of Juno related work that I like. The bold colours and hand crafted type are so in your face, and it's particularly relevant as its just a quote.
9. Burn After Reading (2008) - The type in this is one of my favourites - all the letters are different so I assume it is hand rendered. The colours also work really well.
The range in years show that typographic posters are always an effective design direction.
Philip Joyce
I came across Philip Joyce's work when I was looking for 'alternate movie posters', it just so happens that done 'alternative versions' of a few of the Oscar nominated one's that I am working with.
When focusing on his work alone, I found this set of posters that he designed for American Psycho, Juno, The Big Lebowski and Napoleon Dynamite. I have to admit that I don't really see the link between the actual films...but the posters work well as a set! I expect that this simple, but definately effective layout/grid will be something that I work with as it has a lot of space to work with but still fits in the information about the film at the bottom. As I am working with quotes, there will obviously be more type but I like the use of negative space.
Although they look quite different from the above examples, the idea is quite similar - to focus on an image and fit the information in around it i.e. 127 hours - the mountains are the focus, The King's Speech - the crown is the focus but on all of them, the type works well with the image.
Specifically on the 127 hours, Winter's Bone, The King's Speech and Inception posters I really like the textures that he uses.
When focusing on his work alone, I found this set of posters that he designed for American Psycho, Juno, The Big Lebowski and Napoleon Dynamite. I have to admit that I don't really see the link between the actual films...but the posters work well as a set! I expect that this simple, but definately effective layout/grid will be something that I work with as it has a lot of space to work with but still fits in the information about the film at the bottom. As I am working with quotes, there will obviously be more type but I like the use of negative space.
Below are Joyce's alternative posters for the Oscar nominated films:
Although they look quite different from the above examples, the idea is quite similar - to focus on an image and fit the information in around it i.e. 127 hours - the mountains are the focus, The King's Speech - the crown is the focus but on all of them, the type works well with the image.
Specifically on the 127 hours, Winter's Bone, The King's Speech and Inception posters I really like the textures that he uses.
Winter's Bone - Poster dislike and Book covers
After doing a little more research into ideas for Winter's Bone, I found a forum topic on IMDB titled 'Winter's bone promotional poster. What the hell were they thinking?'
The general jist of the conversation is that some of the people who have seen the film, think it promotes the film totally wrong:
Cypherven says:
'I've never seen a poster so inaccurate for a movie, the average moviegoer who doesn't know anything about this movie would think it's a horror or even a fantasy film, just look at it, the boat, the river, the stylized picture of Jennifer Lawrence, the washed out colors...'
Audioliquor says:
'I totally agree...Even showing her sitting on the porch while her siblings jumping on the trampoline would have been a better choice... I almost didn't want to see the movie because of the stupid poster...'
Anthropo says:
'when I first saw it I thought of something like "Escape From Witch Mountain" or something. '
Cellphonefred says:
'After seeing the film, I think that a more effective and memorable poster would be a photograph taken of Jennifer Lawrence sitting on the bench just outside of the sheriff's office with the plastic grocery bag in her lap. '
One used (tristanbk) expressed that they felt the french film poster was more accurate, and if so, this is great for me because the type used in this one is beautiful!
After finding out the other film posters weren't seen as particularly relevant, I looked at some of the existing book covers. Judging by what some of the IMDB users said, I don't see how the first one would be that relevant either but I quite like the second one, with the simple imagery. However, I do think I will be taking most inspiration for the french film poster.
The general jist of the conversation is that some of the people who have seen the film, think it promotes the film totally wrong:
Cypherven says:
'I've never seen a poster so inaccurate for a movie, the average moviegoer who doesn't know anything about this movie would think it's a horror or even a fantasy film, just look at it, the boat, the river, the stylized picture of Jennifer Lawrence, the washed out colors...'
Audioliquor says:
'I totally agree...Even showing her sitting on the porch while her siblings jumping on the trampoline would have been a better choice... I almost didn't want to see the movie because of the stupid poster...'
Anthropo says:
'when I first saw it I thought of something like "Escape From Witch Mountain" or something. '
Cellphonefred says:
'After seeing the film, I think that a more effective and memorable poster would be a photograph taken of Jennifer Lawrence sitting on the bench just outside of the sheriff's office with the plastic grocery bag in her lap. '
One used (tristanbk) expressed that they felt the french film poster was more accurate, and if so, this is great for me because the type used in this one is beautiful!
After finding out the other film posters weren't seen as particularly relevant, I looked at some of the existing book covers. Judging by what some of the IMDB users said, I don't see how the first one would be that relevant either but I quite like the second one, with the simple imagery. However, I do think I will be taking most inspiration for the french film poster.
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