Since we're going to be learning about art nouveau I thought i'd pick out something from that era. Alphonse Mucha, Born in Ivancice, Moravia which is today's Czech Republic is a incredible artist. He worked at decorative painting jobs in his town, in 1879 he moved to Vienna to work for Viennese theatrical design company. In 1881 he returned to his home town and did freelance decorative and portrait painting. He moved to Paris in 1887 and continued his studies. Here he started producing magazine and advertising illustrations. There was a high demand for posters to advertise, he produced many paintings, posters, advertisements and book illustrations. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphonse_Mucha)

The poster on the left was made in 1898. He made two advertising posters for Job cigarette papers. Both of them consisted of a woman holding a cigarette while the smoke circles her head. The border alone is magnificent with all the detail. The way he uses negative space with the woman's hair is neat. All the women seem have a maiden like quality in his designs. (http://www.muchafoundation.org/MIMGDetail.aspx)

I've picked out a poster that I really enjoy made by Milton Glaser. Lets start off with a little bit about the man who has created such wonderful, eye catching graphics. Milton Glaser, Inc. was extablished in 1974 which focused on print graphics which includes logos, stationery, brochures, signage and annual reports. He was responsible for the design and illustration of more than 200 posters in the areas of publishing, music, theater, film institutional and civic enterprise. This poster was designed for CBS records in 1966 which was included with Dylan's greatest hits album. His use of negative space in this poster is just wonderful. The profile of Dylan is in black but one can easily recognize the singer by this darkened profile. The use of kaleidoscope hair gives it a real 60's vibe. Compared to the poser on the left designed by Martin Sharp in 1967 it is easy to tell which poster is aesthetically pleasing. Sharp's poster is has too much imagery and seems jumbled.

"The constructive grid is an indispensable foundation for 2d design. As an amateur, it allows the designer to order type and image with mathematical precision and implement clear and effective visual hierarchies." Bauhaus designers revered the grid because it was essentially modern. They believed it was like a pen that contained necessary information in accessible units, similar and perhaps influenced by the periodic table of elements. This poster's grid is checkerboard on which pieces are placed and for the most part, its purpose is decorative. Equal sized squares that form a repeating pater are soothing to the eye.


Source: The Anatomy of Design