Poster Project expectations

Just a short post to clarify what's required for the poster project…

This project spans two weeks of work for the class. In the first week I want you to take one of the posters from the Carnegie Melon collection and out and out copy it.  It is important that you do this at high resolution, that is, 12" x 17" x 240 dpi. Post the original then post your version. Unless you have good illustration skills I would concentrate on posters that are designed using typography only. The point is to learn about margins, sightlines, type hierarchy, legibility, color schemes… The list goes on. My day classes actually copy about 3 to 4 posters but they are not writing about a designer each week so that seems to work out.

The second part of the project which would be week 2, is to create your own original poster in the style of Swiss design. You would pay attention to the same issues clarity, simplicity, hierarchy, color scheme and impact. You can research an actual event in Google using a search term like New Haven arts calendar, New Haven events etc. It needs to be a real event with a place, a time etc. Do draw on the design ideas you have been looking at. If you go to Google images, and type "Swiss poster", you'll see many more examples of contemporary applications to this design idea and perhaps find some simple ideas that you could use in your own work.

Please email me if you have any questions.