"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!

Travel Poster
Glenn Gustafon
Woorkbook vol. 33

This image caught my eye as I was flipping through an issue of Workbook.  This was a piece by Glenn Gustafson.  This illustration appears as such a modest design, and yet it is still so attractive.  Gustafson has created form and depth in this illustration by using  simple detailing on the scenery.  Another reason this image grabbed my attention was the use of color.  The usage of a limit color pallet adds to the simplicity of the image (Orange, green, red and different tones of blue).  I enjoy the use of complementary colors, as they really make the image pop.  The usage of black and scale here establishes a space within the image. These two elements put together draw the viewer's eye back into the inner center of the painting, where we see some campers with their car and trailer.  The trees in      the distance lead your eye upward towards the waterfall.  I very much liked the liveliness of the image and how it leads your eye around to different areas within it, showing you what is happening.