The Way of the Poster
Wim Crouwel, 1959
It’s about whittling. It’s about taking something and whittling and whittling and getting it sharp and perfect. Then you’ve got something.—James Victore
What makes posters so desirable? It’s every designer’s dream it seems to go big, to break out of the iron collar that is the A4 or letter-sized sheet. Maybe it’s the aspiring art director in us, seeking the opportunity to distill and denude until only the essence of meaning is left on the page. Perhaps it’s the chance to communicate instantly when so much of design is a story told in chapters. What makes poster design most attractive however may arguably be that it offers a personal outlet to designers, one that is closer to fine art than applied art.
Woman Roller skating—Wiktor Gorka, 1970
Some of the most inspiring work of the 20th Century took the form of posters. Their effectiveness stems not only from the—often cleverly and beautifully executed—communication of the intended message but also the value added by the personal vision of their creator. From Polish tradition, to Swiss and Dutch modernism and beyond, the poster continues to be celebrated and despite dwindling budgets is an art form that is as vibrant and embraced by designers as ever.
There are notable examples of poster art in the cultural sector:
Philippe Apeloig;
David Barath;
Experimental Jetset;
Scott Hansen;
Homework;
Uwe Loesch;
Network Osaka;
Annik Troxler;
Phillippe Apeloig—Frida and Diego
whilst the long-standing tradition of political posters endures with grassroots project, exhibitions and individual designers making their mark:
Power to the Poster;
Good 50×70;
Create Democracy;
Shepard Fairey;
James Victore
You could also simply choose to visit André Felipe’s lovechild and peruse the wealth of established and up-and-coming talent out there producing posters:
Typographic Posters;
Do you think poster art is alive and well?
Really enjoyed your point of view, I totally agree. Certainly the poster makes the perfect excuse for designers to express themselves stronger.
Is that the magic of the format? Maybe because the simple fact a poster is a canvas that can be framed and hanged on a wall like a painting? I don’t know…
My first project ever, in 1979 was a poster for a “Save the Whales” organization. I was a student at the time and enjoyed the process and the opportunity. Last week, 31 years later I designed my first poster in years for a Visual Effects advocacy group. I have to say that as a long-time graphics animator, I loved the opportunity to design something that only moved visually but not kinetically. I would love to do more posters, and I love what other artists are doing today. I hope the art is here to stay!
Thanks for that André. I agree that the reverence bestowed upon the poster (framing and displaying it) outside of any functional purpose is akin to how we might respond to art. Maybe business people aspire to being designers and designers aspire to being fine artists.
Thanks Harry. 31 years is a long time to wait! Glad you had another chance. Might it be an opportunity to rekindle your love of posters and create some self-directed projects?
Isabelle, I’ve been thinking just that. I’ve begun free sketching again recently and if I can find the time I would love to do more poster work. I just remembered that I did a political poster a few months back for health care reform and I very much enjoyed the process of that one as well.
Awesome Harry. Make sure you follow up when you’ve got some stuff. Would love to see it.
: ) I believe so Isabelle, designers do aspire to being fine artists!
As long as we don’t do it just for the sake of being an artist, I would support that idea strongly. We learn many tools of visual expression already so we should as well use them in artistic ways too (that if we have something good to tell).
At least I don’t think designers can hold themselves. Maybe because of the day to day of design practice.
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