Classic artwork
“The original idea for the Tate Modern exhibition Conflict, Time, Photography came from a coincidence between two books that have captivated and inspired me for many years: Kurt Vonnegut‘s classic 1969 novel Slaughterhouse-Five and the Japanese photographer Kikuji Kawada’s 1965 photobook The Map islandfestgrosseile.com/. Both look back to hugely significant and controversial incidents from the Second World War from similar distances.
Toshio Fukada (Japanese, 1928-2009) The Mushroom Cloud – Less than twenty minutes after the explosion (4) 1945 Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography © The estate of Toshio Fukada, courtesy Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
It may seem odd that these great works of art and literature took so long to emerge from the aftermath of the events they concern. But many of the most complex and considered accounts of conflict have taken their time. To Vonnegut’s painfully slow response to the war, for example, we might add Joseph Heller’s brilliantly satirical Catch-22, published in 1961, and, even more significantly, JG Ballard’s memorial masterpiece Empire of the Sun, which did not see the light of day until 1984.
Kikuji Kawada (Japanese, b. 1933) Hinomaru, Japanese National Flag 1965 From the series The Map Gelatin silver print 279 x 355mm © Kikuji Kawada, courtesy the artist and Photo Gallery International, Tokyo
Film graphic
Lastly, Mira stresses the importance of being able to keep a cool head. “There can be a lot of putting out (metaphorical) fires in this industry, and panicking is just completely unhelpful,” she says. “People who are calm under pressure, willing and flexible are all good traits to have in this industry.”
Graphic design in film is not just about creating posters and other promotional material. Graphic designers work to make movies what they are, and they are a core part of the crew. Just look at the famed graphic designer for film, Annie Atkins. She worked on creating set pieces, props to create the typeset for the hotel sign, and movie title for The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Here, Mina and Lima share some truly unmissable advice on what it’s like to work in the film industry, how best to get your foot in the door, why (carefully managed) work experience is still very worth it, and what they look for in applicants when they’re recruiting (psst, which they will be very soon for the third Fantastic Beasts movie).
Typography in film is an essential form of art that helps filmmakers portray a film’s mood and tone through its arrangement and design. It enhances the storytelling process by altering the title, credits, and dialogue on screen. To connect with the film’s genre and intended message, graphic designers carefully examine font choices, sizes, and colors.
“Assuming you don’t know anyone in the industry, but you have the skillset,” Mina says, “though I was cynical about it before, I actually think work experience is really important for both sides. People might think they want to work in film, but work experience exposes you to the environment and you might change your mind. Or you might love it. And because you love it, you go the extra mile to demonstrate how talented and capable you are.”
Retro graphic
Hand-Drawn Illustrations – Classic sketches and doodles add authenticity and a handcrafted touch. Unlike the sleek and polished vector graphics of modern designs, hand-drawn elements offer an organic, imperfect quality that makes the design feel personal and nostalgic. Vintage comic book styles, whimsical doodles, and engraved illustrations are commonly used to evoke nostalgia.
1. Booklet & Brochure Design Retro-styled booklets and brochures with vintage fonts and illustrations create a sense of authenticity, making them visually appealing and memorable. Elements like distressed textures, faded photographs, and art deco-inspired layouts give them a unique old-school touch. These designs not only capture attention but also enhance storytelling by evoking a past era.
Fonts are always a fun element to experiment with. When it comes to retro logo design, they can truly make or break the look. For instance, Jocker font offers a whimsical, vintage vibe, making it ideal for retro circus posters or anything that needs an old-school touch.
To take a trip back to the 80s, check out this 80s Big Poster Design by PeakStar, this VHS Toolkit for After Effects by EnchantedStudios, or the Ultimate 1980s by Arkuma_Hiyomoto. Or recreate the Stranger Things font with this American Frights Horror Serif Font by TheBrandedQuotes!
Hand-Drawn Illustrations – Classic sketches and doodles add authenticity and a handcrafted touch. Unlike the sleek and polished vector graphics of modern designs, hand-drawn elements offer an organic, imperfect quality that makes the design feel personal and nostalgic. Vintage comic book styles, whimsical doodles, and engraved illustrations are commonly used to evoke nostalgia.
1. Booklet & Brochure Design Retro-styled booklets and brochures with vintage fonts and illustrations create a sense of authenticity, making them visually appealing and memorable. Elements like distressed textures, faded photographs, and art deco-inspired layouts give them a unique old-school touch. These designs not only capture attention but also enhance storytelling by evoking a past era.
Vintage graphic
1 Bohemian Fern Printable More than just a print, you also get project instructions for making a rustic frame to go with this boho vibe printable. The Print itself is quite beautiful and was created in a bold indigo color!
Digitized letterpress effects can also replicate the look without the need for printing using the letterpress method. These Photoshop letterpress textures allow you to mimic the look on your computer without the need for a specialized printer.
1 Fabulous Monkey This antique natural history print, features such a gorgeous looking monkey! This cute monkey is climbing on a branch. He is in dark brown, with what looks like grey stripes on his face, and deep brown eyes. Be sure and click to view details on this amazing print, it’s amazing how the individual hairs of his fur are drawn in.
1 Sheep and Pigs Print This one is from an antique dictionary and shows a large grouping of sheep and pigs lined up in neat rows. This black and white etching likely identified various breeds of livestock. I just love the varieties shown in this printable!
When it comes to retro design, there is a variety of elements to consider. This also depends on what you’re working on and the elements available, whether you design an email newsletter, blog, or any other form factor. And when you have the right elements in the right order, taking your audience down memory lane (through retro design) can go smoother.