The Movie Poster
Project

The Movie Poster Project offers an introduction to the incredible range of compositional possibilities when you combine photos, type, and effects together.

There are 2 possible approaches to this project:

  1. Pick a movie and create a new, unique movie poster (maybe an even better solution?) than the original poster. As examples, please see the work of ”Doaly” and a couple other designers on this page.

  2. Recreate a famous movie poster from scratch (using none of the original artwork) and replacing the actors with yourself or friends with your own original photography.

Assessment

As with all projects, your Postcard Project will be assessed by:

  • Professionalism - Project is done "to spec", follows directions, and fulfills all requirements.

  • Craftsmanship - Project exhibits an admirable application of design principles, an aesthetic style, and use of app workflows.

  • Challenge - There is producible evidence that the final design underwent the entire design process and was significant challenging.

  • Originality - Project content is unique (not copied, derivative, a template, AI generated in part or whole, or a reproduction of a tutorial).

    Note: Images referencing drug use, guns, violence, hate speech, etc. are not permitted.

Process

1. Communicate

Because a Movie Poster requires you to be both the client and the designer, the design process is simplified from the traditional Graphic Design Process. But you will still communicate, just with yourself. Do some self-examination, and write a short design brief based on the following questions:

  • What aspects of myself do I want my crest to evoke?

  • What interest of mine can I allude to?

  • What types of lines, shapes, patterns, styles, etc. convey these messages and resonate with me?

2. Research

Based on your design brief, visit the following websites and conduct focused searches.

Kamon
Logobook
TheNounProject
Google Images

When an images resonates with you, screen grab it (CMD+Shift+4 on a Mac, Win + Shift + S on a PC) and drop the collective images into gomoodboard. Note: You should have at least 20 images to reference.

3. Ideate

Based on your moodboard, grab your sketchbook and draw at least 6 possible solutions.

From these initial 6 solutions, selected one favorite (or a combination of your top two) . Flip the page over and draw 6 new variations based upon the initial solution you selected.

From this second round of 6, pick your top solution.

Before you fully commit, get some feedback from classmates, family, . . . anyone you can. Listen to learn - and be open to suggestions - you might come up with an even better solution with some outside feedback.

4. Formalize

Using Illustrator, either draw from scratch or import/trace your favorite solution. Paying close attention smooth curves, aligned edges and other professional standards (see “Specs & Standards” below).

Specs & Standards

 

Your Movie Poster should be setup in Illustrator with the following specs:

  • 11x17in

  • RGB

  • .psd file format

Your Movie Poster should be submitted with the following specs:

  • 1100x1700px

  • .jpg file format (quality 70%)

Issues and
Guidlines

Scroll down to view some common issues and helpful guidelines for Movie Poster design.

If creating something new - Make it dramatically different than the original poster. Often, simpler is better.

Avoid using screenshots from the movie or copy/pasting the logo from the original poster. If going for the same look, recreate it from scratch to show you can do what a professional can.

Consider applying a completely different movie poster style that might be more direct and compelling.

If going for a similar solution to the original poster, try to add some new, clever element.