Image//Image FMP//Spotlight effect tutorial.

http://www.adobetutorialz.com/articles/2466/1/Create-a-Spotlight

An easy-to-follow, simple online tutorial for creating spotlight lighting, one of the elements I am considering using on one of my designs for my proposed Black Swan posters, as the balletic/stage themes at the core of the film (a modern day performance of 'Swan Lake' within the film narrative), I feel this would be an appropriate visual communication device to use, as well as adding a different texture and gradient variety to the design to add interest. Definitely a good source to return to, should I need it throughout the next day finalising my designs and working on my project/design development.

Image//Image FMP//Black Swan poster information.

http://movie-hoopla.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/blackswan_poster.jpg

Researching the existing Black Swan poster for necessary information and details to add to my own design- such as the three names of the leading roles, as well as any other information I see fit, including director Darren Aronofsky's name also.

I think that the laurels with the film festival opening announcements would also work well on my designs to add a little more interest and prestige (aesthetically).

Image//Image FMP//Vector film posters.

Researching more screen grabs and images from the film of which I will be generating poster designs, Black Swan, all of which have been sourced from Google Images source links.

I will go on to use these images in both a photographic source and inspiration for my own design outcomes, as well as a source to pick colours from, again, using the previously sourced questionnaire feedback to select appropriately visually communicated colours from the films for my designs.

Image//Image FMP//Creative film posters.

Researching existing designs found online that have inspired me, or particularly captured my imagination in terms of creating my own Black Swan film poster designs for my self initiated image brief. The images poster above and below, all of which have been sourced from Google Images, use a variety of design practice techniques to execute their own specific message and visual communication devices to illustrate the films effectively. Written beneath a few of my favourite designs below, are further details about each of the designs, and why I rate them so highly.

I really love these unique combinations of photographic imagery and type on the posters for 'The Social Network' and 'I'm still here' (the latter, in particular) which really break from the standardised photographic designs that film posters ordinarily boast. The strong portraiture design really captures the bold central character role within the film very effectively, yet incredibly simply- a method and outcome delivery that I really aspire to within my own design practice.

I really love the boldness and simplicity of this design- the monochrome and Helvetica type work so effectively together for a wonderfully simple, crisp design that breaks conventional film poster design moulds. Definitely the sort of design that I myself will be aiming for, and that suits my existing design style and design portfolio.

LOVE this design created in Cinema 4D that resembles a gallery instillation of a neon sign which perfectly suits the 1980's theme of the 2011 filmic release 'Drive' starring Ryan Gosling. Again, what really captures my imagination is the simplicity behind the design and the crisp, minimalism overall. Definitely something to consider when creating my own designs- just because it has dark, complex themes running throughout the film for which I am designing (Black Swan), it doesn't mean that I have to be absolutely literal in terms of my visual communication.

Image//Image FMP//Iconic film posters.

Researching a selection of iconic film posters in order to help inspire ideas for the composition, layout and overal visual communication of my own designs for my Black Swan poster range, looking at film posters which, for me, have imbedded in my own memory for several reasons (of course, the iconic nature of the film itself certainly helps the poster design to stick in mind, by natural association). As shown below, the majority of the designs below are photographic, representing stills from the films, and this is something certainly worth considering with my own design experimentations- whether to stick to my more usual vector based design, or to use photographic screen grabs for the film to aid my designs. Also, typographic design considerations will be hugely important- shown in this research range, as it plays a huge influence on the character and messages portrayed within the film- whether it be the intense brutalism and edginess of Tarantino's 'Kill Bill', or the epic nature of James Cameron's 'Titanic'.

Image//Image FMP//Disney vector posters.

Researching some more designs with context to my new direction for my self initiated Image project- looking at conceptual designs for classic stories (as Swan Lake, which Black Swan, of course, is based upon) from Disney stories which are known and loved throughout the world- my favourite of which being the classic Disney tales which derive from folk lore and fairy tales. I really love the simple yet effective execution and concepts behind these images posted- certainly the sort of style that I myself want to be achieving with my own posters, and which I hope can be equally as eye-catching and visually communicative with great minimalism and simplicity.

Image//Image FMP//Existing Black Swan posters.

As a major part of my research for Black Swan, and my poster design developments, I was keen to take a look at existing designs to see what variation I could have in conceptualising some of the key aspects and themes of the film, and was really pleased to see some stunning designs- many with similar vector-based, minimal colour themes that coincide with my design considerations, and existing ways of working. I particularly liked the designs by studio LaBoca, (directly above and below) said to be influenced by Polish and Czech designs- and have a clearly Eastern European style similar to what I was intending for my own design developments (and really adore).
Really inspiring stuff- also an idea to possibly work with existing imagery and photographs from the film with Photoshop manipulations? Really excited to get stuck into designing now! (Thank goodness I changed my design direction!)


All pictures are sourced through individual Google Images links.