IdN v27n4: Poster Design & Art Prints

Creating a poster that can attract viewers of all ages is therefore a tough ask. Most posters, however, have a commercial end-use and although there are many different parties to please, this makes the task easier. And sometimes, a poster designed as a promotional item will end up as a personal favourite, a decided bonus. What is the line that separates designing a poster as part of a campaign from coming up with a stand-alone one? In this issue, we have invited 38 creatives to share with you their thoughts on how to execute one poster on its own or as part of a series, and whether or not there should be a differentiation between these contexts. The poster is probably the first piece of art we are introduced to and the one we keep the longest. During our teens, we fill our bedroom walls with posters of our favourite actors, singers, movies, bands, concerts or simply scenery that we like. We derive a sense of happiness being surrounded by them, just as our favourite people become our companions as they grow up with us. Visual attraction is the key trigger for people to pick up a poster and this will vary according to age and life experiences. When you’re young, who and what is on the poster is all that matters. As we grow older, and the motivation to purchase becomes more complicated, we spend more time contemplating the poster’s content, seeking out messages that are especially relevant to us.