Graphic Design
By Diego Girgado, Ryan Mancini, and Kriesten Davis
Movie Posters
By Diego Girgado
Graphic Design is more than just different typefaces and photos put together in one image. Instead graphic design displays different means, emotions, and ideas through an artistic and creative process. These two movie posters embody the elements of design and the principles of design to communicate their message.
In this movie poster for The Life of Pi, the elements of design I found were the use of lines, color, value, texture, and size. The use of the horizontal line brings balance and support to the human and the tiger. The uses of the two vertical lines suggest spirituality, hinting at the movie’s intentions. The lines also allow you eyes to read from top to bottom. The separation of colors creates a line of symmetry. In terms of color usage, the dark green, the light green, and the white all fall under the category of cold colors, which represents calm and comfort. Upon closer inspection, I found the texture of the image to resemble a chalkboard. In terms of size, the letter pi is consuming the image and making everything else revolve around it making it’s size the center of attention.
In terms of principles of design emphasis, movement, and direction help portray the overall message. The main element of emphasis is the letter pi. The pi could be enlarged to show importance for the letter and to make it the center of attention. In terms of movement, the boy using the stick to ward off the tiger is the only form of movement on the poster, but it helps connect the two images beside their color similarity. The last principle of design used in this piece is direction. Since the pi is the first thing you see, the second thing your eyes notice are the boy and the tiger attached to the pi, and since the vertical lines of the pi are extended downwards the words at the end of the poster are connected to the top.
Source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/529243393685100806/
In this movie poster for The Great Gatsby, the elements of design I found were the use of geometric shapes, space, and color. The first thing I notice off the bat was the use of geometric shapes to create the look and feel of a tux. The use of the triangles helps relate the action, conflict, and drama back to the man and the woman. I also liked how the triangles are separated and barely touching to suggest a close connection between the man and the woman. In relation to the movie, a lake divides Mr. Gatsby’s and Ms. Daisy’s mansions. This poster is suggesting they live right across from each other. The separation by the two-triangular figures creates a background image of a tall skinny glass used for alcoholic beverages, suggesting their role in the movie. The second thing I notice was the use of space in the poster. The spatial relationship between positive and negative space is off balanced and is leaning towards more positive space. This space has an overall effect on the image creating more closeness and intimacy with a lack of privacy. The last element of design is color or lack of color. The use of the black of white color scheme creates sophistication and class to relate back to the times of old vs. new money during the 1920s American society.
In terms of principles of design balance and unity help portray the overall message. Balance is used in this poster to suggest peace or mutual understand between the man and the woman. Even though elements in the poster are not the same, the geometric shapes are symmetrically aligned, which helps balance the message. Unity is used to help connect all of the elements of the poster together. The use of the city skyscrapers at the bottom of the poster help set the movie’s location. In the city one might find, romance, money, and nightlife all suggested by the use of the man, woman, tux, and skinny glass. All this elements come together to depict New York during the 1920s.
Source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/393572454909839908/
Other cool movie posters:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/140033869638613055/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/178244097722279271/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/477522366713072669/
Movie Poster + Book Cover
By Ryan Mancini
The image above incorporates elements that are quintessential to the story of “The Indian in the Cupboard.” The look on Omri’s face evokes a sense of wonder and shock as he appears at the three-inch-tall human being in his hands. This other character, Little Bear, reacts through body language. He reflects Omri, expressing his own confusion and shock upon a giant child who brought him to life through a cupboard, a magical key and a plastic American Indian.
The color tries to give off a friendly appearance, as this was a kids’ movie. The brightness of the yellow in this poster makes the image warm and approachable. The blue is set as a contrast that stands out from the brightness of the image. While little major graphic design is involved, this poster can still convey simple messages about what this movie entails, what may (and does) happen with these characters, both of whom are pivotal to the plot of the entire movie.
Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/indian_in_the_cupboard/
The book cover for neuroscientist Sam Harris’ new book “Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion” makes use of a very plain and subtle cover to place emphasis on a very particular message (i.e., the subtitle of the book). The sky and the clouds evoke a feeling of openness and difference, conveying the message that secularism is an open method of thinking; there is also the idea that spirituality is achievable for anyone, bringing a person outside of their own world to a level of “higher meaning.” The face represents the inherent humanity behind spirituality and non-faith, with the eyes closed as though the person was meditating. The brightness of the clouds and sky make the face appear hidden but accessible, building into a metaphor for the book’s subtitle of having something without the perceived necessity of something else.
Source: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/09/20/sam-harris-waking-up-about-secular-spirituality-hits-new-york-times-best-sellers-list/
