Graphic Design - Vital Elements of Designing Posters for Movies

Big budget movies carry a very big risk, especially for those who have invested in the making of those movies. Marketing of the movie plays a crucial role in the success of the movie. The promotion posters used to advertise the movie among the mass public are one of the most important elements in the whole marketing process. The poster is the first thing that creates some impression about the movie.

Some of the vital elements for designing movie posters are as follows:

Communicating Image

The Image or Images uses for movie poster design should be able to communicate to the public what the movie is all about. If the movie is about any plot, horror or history the poster should be able to effectively communicate it. It should be able immediately seek attention and interest of anyone who glances the poster. The poster should give a rough idea about what the movie is about.

AIDA

AIDA stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. The movie poster designers have been using this formula for designing many movie posters since many years. The first word 'attention' is primary and the movie poster should be able to grab the attention of the observers. Flashy graphics and provocative images are usually used for seeking attention but there are other ways too for achieving the milestone.

The second word 'interest' is equally important. The observer on looking at the poster should feel that the movie is interesting. The observer should be interested in knowing what the movie is about or what happens in it. One way of developing interest in the poster is through putting up such an image in the poster that raises a number of questions in the mind of the observer. The observer should feel that those questions can be answered only when the movie is seen.

The design of the poster should be such that it develops an intense desire to watch the movie. The poster should appeal equally to the fans and people who know about the actors, directors or producers from the poster.

The movie poster design should call on the observer to act, purchase the ticket and watch the movie. The poster observer should feel that if he/she does not act and watch the movie as early as possible, he/she may be the odd person in his/her group.

Style

If the movie is about something different, the poster design should highlight that uniqueness. Consistency needs to be maintained between the poster design and the movie.

Recognition

There are many sequel movies being made. These movies are based on the earlier movie. The poster should be designed in such a way that the observer comes to know from the first glance that it is a sequel and a continuation of earlier movie. The major part of the poster exhibits the name of the movie while the remaining part is occupied by the image that is common and prominent in that movie and the movie/s that preceded it in the sequel.

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Designing Your Graphic Design Portfolio

When you start working, your great graphic design portfolio is going to help you land that great job. Your portfolio represents your skill and artistry, so put it together carefully because your artwork is going to speak for you.

Sort through all the work you have done - paid or unpaid, including design school assignments - and select the best work. Be critical here and take help from friends or professors to get an unbiased view. Leave out your not-so-great efforts, because it's better to show 10 samples that range from excellent to good, rather than 20 to 30 samples which may include artwork that is passable or so-so.

Let your portfolio begin with your very best design and let the final artwork be your second best design. This way, you not only kick off with a strong impression, but you also leave your potential employer with another strong impression as his last memory of your artwork.

Graphic design is found in printed materials, on the web and on CDs and DVDs, so to make a complete graphic design portfolio, include samples of your work in all three media.

Quite a few clients need printed artwork, so select your best designs including as many different projects as you can to show off all your skills.

Include, for example, letterheads and calling cards, your best logos, any CD or album covers that you may have designed, a completed campaign, brochures, designs for paint boxes or toothpaste tubes, posters and banners, newspaper or magazine advertisements, labels, postcards - a wide-ranging selection of your work, you understand? Include a few pieces that you have really excelled at, like a random artwork or photographic study showing your Photoshop skills. The best of each project should give you 10 to 15 samples, just enough to interest a client without overwhelming him. Mount your artworks well on a neutral coloured sheet to show them off to their best advantage. Use a professional looking portfolio case to carry your samples. A case that allows you to add and remove leaves is a good idea, because then you use only as many leaves as you need to display your work.

A website portfolio is practically a necessity, with the internet being almost the main vehicle of communication, information, and most buying and selling today. Having a website in your own name not only makes you look professional, it also gives you an email address @yourownname.com.

Keep the website design simple. A neutral color background will allow your artwork to stand out. Keep your image samples at 100kb -150kb, so that they load quickly and no one with a slow internet connection will have to wait. The navigation should be easy, and available on every page, so that the viewer can go back and forth easily. The design of your website itself will display your artistic skills and add another dimension to your graphic design portfolio.

Your CD or DVD portfolio will be a slightly different version of your website. You can use the same design and pages, if you like. The image files can be larger, since no download will be necessary and you can add a little animation to make it interesting - and display yet another skill! Again, be sure to make it easy for your client to find just what he is looking for.

Have fun putting your graphic design portfolio together. Make your portfolio, website and CD/DVD easy on the eye and interesting to go through - and your clients will enjoy seeing your work!

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