Pay it Forward

Column Five Media

Poster illustration 

Designers: Josh Ritchie, Nate Butler

How magazine, pg. 27, fall 2016

This poster design was inspired by a letter written by Ben Franklin. that illustrates the pay-it-forward philosophy.  The designers created a poster based on the letter and used modern typography, illustration and design styles.
I love the use of detailed line work.  They are simple lines, but they create a nicely decorated space around the text.  The arrangement of the text is arranged in a visually interesting way.  The beginning lines of the letter are placed up at the top in small paragraphs that frame the symbols in the middle on either side and at the bottom.  The rest of the text is arranged in longer, more curving lines that create a sense of movement going down towards the bottom of the design.

"Different Strokes for Lovely Folks"

Kate Forrester

"Workbook" vol. 38

This image is a postcard design by Kate Forrester as part of her 'Different Strokes for Different Folks' postcard pack.  I enjoy how the style of typography goes along with the artwork that is framing it.  Though it's simple in form and color, the design is very intricate and flowing.  The design really gives you a chance to explore and find different images all throughout it.  It looks like it was a fun design to draw out!  The use of ornamentation is interesting in this composition.  It's fun and imaginative.  Looking at it made me wonder how the artist came up with such a wonderful design. 

  

"Neenah Paper Beauty of Letterpress Poster"

Gee + Chung Design Firm

Constructivism

How Magazine, Fall 2016

The color scheme used in this piece are very eye catching.  I thought it was a good use of two simple colors (black and an off-white) and a bold red.  I thought this was an interesting combination with the use of typography and tools.  When I took a closer look, I noticed that the artist used tools to represent letters.  This image reminded me of the Russian constructivism art style.  It uses a kind of collage-like arrangement, much like what is used in constructivism.  The composition also has a kinetic feel with the way the letters and objects seem to overlap each other. 

"Red Hot Chili Peppers" poster design

by Craig Phillips

Workbook vol. 33

Psychedelic

This illustrations reminded me of a psychedelic band poster from the 60's.  The figures are simplified, but also use complex design patterns on their skin and in the background behind them.  The composition uses a lot of curving, organic decorations.  Though the figures are simplified, the faces appear more detailed, giving you a good view of each of the members' identities.  

I really like the use of more basic primary colors used in the background while the foreground has a more complicated design with the use of gradations.  I also appreciated the pairing of a modern day band that's still active today with an art style that was more widely used in the past.  This is a very lively design and I found it to be very attractive to the eye.  

The Rattles Campaign

"I am the Walrus", "The Long and Winding Road", "Strawberry Fields"

Zulu Alpha Kilo Printing Firm

Minimalist 

These ads mix imagery of musical instruments with the titles of Beatles songs. I love how simple the composition is and yet it represents something more.  For example, the drumsticks leading out of the image and set on a brown background is clearly representing a walrus. The length of the microphone wire represents a road and the red guitar pick is a strawberry.  These simple objects combined with the titles create bold visual statements as well as great Beatles references.  

Car Advertisement
Jeff Foster
Workbook vol. 33

Jeff Foster

Workbook vol. 33, Fall

I really enjoy the retro design look paired with a new car advertisement idea.  There is a good use of depth in this image.  The kind of fuzzy looking texture in this picture gives it a very vintage/painted look to it.  I like the pairing of the reds, greens oranges and blues for the complementary colors.  The bold, all caps yellow typeface really stands out against the dark leaves of the trees.  Having this type with a car driving over a high up bridge really gives the ad a bold, adventurous feeling!

Stamp Design

Minimalist

Paul Rogers

Workbook vol. 38

Design by Paul Rogers

Workbook issue 38

I thought that this composition was fairly complex for a stamp design.  There seems to be a lot going on here.  I noticed at least five different figures, along with instruments in this image.  The artist has created a sense of space here, showing the figure going in front of and behind the type.  The color pallet is mainly primary colors used on the figures and their instruments.  Black and white have been used for the type and the background, making the figures stand out against them.  There is a lot going on in this design, but it's fun to look at!