DARK...CREEPY...SCARY...WONDERFUL

Wow. This movie poster, featured in the 2013 Communication Arts Design Annual, is absolutely amazing to me. I am attracted to stories, books, movies, TV shows about the macabre, the supernatural, the eerie, creepy, dark, psychological thrilling, etc., and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is such a classic. I read the book (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886) a long time ago, and it left quite an impression on me.

The poster was created to promote the Indianapolis International Film Festival, so it fits right in with our first project, especially since it's a two-color, cleverly designed image—one I wish I had designed! It's done so well! I especially like how you can have it like this or turn it upside down and have the Dr. Jekyll figure at the top AND the lettering works both ways! It actually says, "Dr. Jekyll" upside down. The stressed look is really appealing and makes it look old and weathered and not so "illustratory." It's striking and perfect for the movie. Brilliant.

Source: Communication Arts Design Annual, 2013, http://www.commarts.com/SearchOn.aspx?page=1&col=1184&inum=394&pj=30852


From Communication Arts: “Each year the Indianapolis International Film Festival solicits local illustrators, designers and design shops to reinterpret a select list of movie posters. The posters are used to promote the film festival, beginning with an art exhibit and ending with on-site displays during the festival.” 24 × 36, 1-color, limited-edition prints.

Lars Lawson, designer/illustrator
Monty Sheldon, contributing artist
Timber Design Co., design firm
Indianapolis International Film Festival, client

Exotic Chocolate Packaging. I LOVE this!

I'm so lazy sometimes that when a book is recommended on reserve at the library (and it looks like a great book), I'll get on Amazon and see if they have any super-cheap copies. That was the case with this book, New Packaging Design by Janice Kirkpatrick. So, I've had the book since last semester, and I'm really glad to own it. There are so many amazing designs for all kinds of packaging, and I have used it for reference many times.

This image is among my very favorites in the book: Chocovic Coberturas Selváticas by Paul Núnez Associats, Spain, 2007. Why? First, my favorite artist from my modern art history class was Post-Impressionist Henri Rousseau. I get lost in his work. I love the way he uses line, shape, color, and composition to create gorgeous, dream-like images. It's so sad that he was ridiculed during his life and only after his death was his genius recognized. Anyway, I digress. The illustrations on this chocolate bar packaging remind me so much of Rousseau's work. Actually, after looking through some of his work again, López actually really copied some parts of Rousseau's paintings, but I didn't notice that at first. Also, the book's description states, "The exotic provenance of the cocoas used in these gourmet chocolate bars is expressed through Eva López's Rousseau-esque 'wild forest' illustrations."

I also love this because it's gourmet chocolate packaging! Gourmet chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is one of my life's greatest pleasures, and, unfortunately, could lead to my ultimate downfall. Okay. I'm being dramatic. But really, I'm a chocolate addict (and it can't be Russell Stover or any old cheap chocolate—only the highest quality). 

I just find these illustrations absolutely stunning. In looking at the packaging as a whole, I think it's brilliant; I think the illustrations can attract the consumer without detracting from the text, which is clean and simple with a very clear hierarchy. Great typographical treatment. The colors are bright, cheerful, and exotic, putting one in mind of the lushness of a rainforest or jungle. This, to me, also conveys the message that the chocolate itself is lush, rich, amazing, delicious.

For reference, here is a sample of Rousseau's work–"Fight Between a Tiger and a Buffalo"–to show the similarities.

Sources:
Kirkpatrick, Janice. New Packaging Design. London: Laurence King, 2009. Print. P. 60.

"Henri Rousseau - Fight Between a Tiger and a Buffalo" by Henri Rousseau. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henri_Rousseau_-_Fight_Between_a_Tiger_and_a_Buffalo.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Henri_Rousseau_-_Fight_Between_a_Tiger_and_a_Buffalo.jpg

Heartstrings—Simple Yet Poignant

This illustration has so much to say. I love it.

First, I love the four-color scheme (two-color plus black and white). The blue background is so rich and works perfectly against the periwinkle as well as black and white. I was particularly drawn to it because the guy is a singer/musician and because there's an adorable dog in the photo. Right away I saw the heart at the end of the strings, leading me to see the hole where his heart had been. How creative! "Pullin' on my heartstrings..." 

I love the piece as a whole, but I also love the details, part of what makes this such a successful illustration. The guy doesn't even need details on his face. The nose, chin, and barely visible closed eye are enough. He's obviously singing, so a visible mouth wasn't even necessary. Simple. The shapes of his hands are elegant and delicate, taking great care to handle the instrument which is truly his own heart and what attaches his heart to his soul. Also, I love how his shoulders and elbows are rounded/soft while his knees and feet have sharp angles. The soft upper body shows, again, the care he has taking as he plays. The hairstyle is great—almost an Elvis flip along with the sideburns. Even the stool and mics/mic stands are elegant and delicate. It has a vintage flavor but a modern sense at the same time. The dog's posture, wide-open eyes, little pointed ears and tiny howling embouchure along with his pointed, standing-up tail somehow convey his concern for the man and sadness about what he hears. Well, that's my interpretation!

It's a fairly simple illustration, but there is a lot going on. It elicits in me feelings of heartbreak, beauty, tenderness, and even humor. Every shape, every line was carefully considered and placed. It's kind of surreal as well. I wish I had created this! I would have this framed on a wall in my house in a second. Very cool.

source:
Communication Arts Illustration Annual 55
May/June 2014
p. 95

Poster for a performing artist booking agency
Aad Goudappel, illustrator
Mark Kingsley, art director
Andrea Johnson, The Agency Group, client