Back to the poster board

So, I’ve received my first “commission” of sorts. I am to design the tickets and poster for our campus holiday party.

Normally its one of those “uugh!” extra duties that is shoveled on some unwitting person, but as a budding graphic designer (who has been budding for too many years without much forward movement) I’d actually like to put some effort into this gig.

Posters are a neat medium. They are meant to capture the attention and convey information, which is the purpose of all art. However, posters have to put out an inordinate amount of text and data for a visual medium, all while retaining grace and focused clarity.

Everybody will see it, which will undoubtedly lead to requests for posters for upcoming car washes and bake sales. Again, these can be treated as worthwhile opportunities. I mean, how many designers focus on cupcakes and soap suds?

Not that I’d see this as a portal to a career, but it’s a good exercise.

Anyone have any modern poster designers they get inspiration from? I am a huge fan of Scott Hansen.

My puka (that’s Hawaiian for “hole”, which is the hip way of saying “cubicle”) is still bare. The gray fabric walls and slightly cluttered desk shriek “normal.” I have some plans for the space, which roommate Adrian ribs me for, as he points out I won’t be in there much while teaching.

Still, a few pics and a poster here and there will spice it up. It’s like making sure your car is washed. Sure, you might not be around it through the day, but other people take notice.

Also also, I am rebuilding my flickr library. I’ll get a link up on the right.

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