03/02/25 - 17/02/25 / Week 1 - Week 3
Sheren Princessa Davon / 0362134
Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 1: Exploration
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LECTURE
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| Fig 1.1 Gestalt Theory by @iconeo on Instagram |
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| Fig 1.2 Gestalt Theory by Noma Bar |
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| Fig 1.3 Contrast example by Alexandru Pitea on Behance |
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| Fig 1.4 Contrast example by marvan on Pinterest (https://id.pinterest.com/pin/4644405859620826/) |
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| Fig 1.5 Emphasis example by Venngage (https://venngage.com/templates/flyers/tech-digital-flyer-10a6323c-fa1c-4730-ad6f-1755794d5348) |
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| Fig 1.6 Balance example by luxeposter (https://luxeposterco.store/products/green-mid-century-bauhaus-7-poster?variant=44787032097024) |
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| Fig 1.7 Repetition example by swissted (https://www.swissted.com/products/the-velvet-underground-in-london-1971?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social) |
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| Fig 1.8 Movement example Fiesta in Figueres by Salvador Dali |
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| Fig 1.9 Harmony & unity example, Boy with a pipe by Picasso |
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| Fig 1.10 Symbols example by kittl (https://www.kittl.com/article/popular-symbols-and-meanings-for-graphic-design) |
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| Fig 1.11 Flower symbolism used in logo design by artsigma (https://99designs.com/profiles/artsigma/designs/2265394) |
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| Fig 1.12 Word & Image example |
INSTRUCTIONS
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| Anatomy of a Murder Poster by Saul Bass, 1959 |
Artwork title: Anatomy of a Murder poster
Source: https://www.sfmoma.org/artwork/2000.514/
Why did I choose this artwork? (186 words)
I was intrigued by this specific movie poster by Saul Bass, mainly because of the quirkiness of the design, incorporating a lot of negative space and fun typography. But upon further inspection I realized that it was a poster for a murder/mystery movie. I was even more interested by the juxtaposition of the design concept with the actual movie, especially since most movie posters about thriller or slasher movies are not often seen depicted with this specific style.
Saul Bass was a well respected graphic designer, known for his memorable film title sequences which created a new form of kinetic typography. Upon first glance, it is clear that the poster depicts an outline of a body, slightly disassembled, with the arms, legs, and head disconnected from the body, hinting a murder, especially accompanied by the text stating the movie title. This title is effective in setting the dark atmosphere of the movie. Though this style is not often seen in murder/mystery movie posters, the way Bass designs it still gives a sense of mystery to this murder movie, making audiences, myself included, more intrigued.
Design Principles found in Saul Bass’ ‘Anatomy of a Murder’
Gestalt Theory
The main illustration is a flat 2d filled outline of a broken figure colored in a black solid color, disconnected from one another. However, it is still apparent through first glance that it takes shape as a human body despite the spaces between them, instead this space indicates disjointed limbs, which might be hinting on the gore-y nature of the movie.
Contrast
The background is a solid, subtly textured yellow color, which creates high contrast from the black colored illustration, keeping this illustration as the main focus. The bright red background depicting the actors’ names also creates high contrast to the yellow background.
Emphasis
The figure is a solid black color, and placed on the yellow background, it immediately captures the audience’s attention. The typography placed strategically on the figure also allows the audience to register all needed information in one go, emphasizing the main point of this poster.
Balance
Bass was able to achieve balance in this poster through his use of color and visual weight. Since the main illustration is a solid black color which has a lot of weight, Bass kept the background fairly simple and light, incorporating negative space which creates balance.
Repetition
The same style of flat illustrations and colors are seen throughout the poster. Alongside, bold and similar uppercase sans-serif typography is used consistently.
Harmony & Unity
The cuts in the body figure look hand-drawn, it is consistent despite the body being disjointed. With the bold yet light color palette and typography, altogether the shapes and colors tie all the elements to one harmonious and unified design.
Symbol
The fragmented body as the main illustration symbolizes the mysterious nature of the movie, reminding the audience of the crime done in the movie, also depicting the fragments that come in detective work as the storyline of working out a murder might be disjointed, just like the figure depicted.
Word & Image
There is a bit of interplay in the typography & illustration of this poster. The title ‘anatomy of a murder’ is paired together with the broken figure, which cleverly depicts a murder; the plot of this movie.
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