I’ve been noticing a trend with movie poster designs lately and it’s a sad commentary about mass production and the lack of originality. They’re mostly large photos of movie star faces in a blue duotones looking serious with possibly a smaller background image. This isn’t neccessarily a reflection on the quality of the movie but it shows a lack of creativity and originlity on the studios part in how they want to promote their films. I’m just concerned the creative craftsmanship that used to go into poster design has been lost to some studio executives deciding they know what looks best or simply copying another poster’s design because that other movie was successful. You can almost hear the studio executive yelling at the poor graphic design intern “Let’s just put our main stars photos on it..ok make them bigger..I know what the audience wants! Ok now make it blue…make it moody…this is is a scary movie and nothing is scarier than blue!!! More blue!!!!!…nevermind just let me do it!! Go get me a coffee instead!”
Here’s some samples. Notice any similarities? I mean really how long would it take to make these in photoshop? There’s no creative concept, not much time or care at all put into these designs. They are just big glamor shots of the actors. We no longer value craftsmanship in our society it’s all about quick, easy, and cheap.
Now below are what I consider some good poster designs. Someone actually was allowed to use their talent and they took their time to put something together that’s unique and artistic. Isn’t that what the movies are supposed to be about anyways?
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July 26, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Evan S.
spot on, great observation.
love the shepard ferry Walk The Line poster, if only he did more.
July 26, 2008 at 10:59 pm
retromandc
Hi Evan,
Yeah Shepard Fairey is so amazingly talented. One of my favorite designers along with Tyler Stout who does some stunning hand drawn movie posters. Check out his work as well.
http://www.tstout.com
July 31, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Most billboard designs are bad even at 70 mph. « Steve Jencks
[…] design, mass design | Yes it’s another rant about poor design in the media. Much like my beef with movie poster design, another one of the glaring eyesores on the design community is that of poor billboard design and […]
October 13, 2008 at 10:52 am
ojasvi
Shephard Fairey is one of the most influential street artists ever. “André the Giant Has a Posse” sticker campaign is his memorable campaign which has now a cult following and is better known as “Obey the Giant” or just “OBEY”.
December 25, 2008 at 11:08 am
mandrako
I agree with you.
Some poster are like recipies and bad production…
I am starting on my part a blog on the effect of photoshop on movie posters.
You can look at it , if you want 🙂
http://www.endupliquant.blogspot.com/
Envoy
Mandrako