An experiment

[MaximumFluoride]

So recently I was provided with a perfect oppurtunity to do an experiment to test my beliefs about the creative process behind making and appropriate poster. A label i have been working for for nearly 5 years asked me to do a poster for a showcase gig they have coming up. I was told I could do anything I wnated with the poster.

The first thing I designed was done in a "designery" style. I tried to go with a concept that would fit the bands and label while trying to push the generaly accepted idea of what a punk/ metal poster should look like.

This is what I came up with.




They thought it looked gay. They didn't think it fit the label or bands at all. They said.... draw a skull or something cool. That people wouldn't "get it" and they would potentialy lose their core audience. They really drove home how important it was that this show be well attended. They have a big year coming up and this show is the first major piece of what they want to achieve. They also drove home the fact that it was a very expensive show for them to put on and that every single person that came to the show was crucial to the shows success


So I did this one ( the color version isn't finished yet). They freaked out and told me that it was perfect.




So, what I learned was that when the actual band or label is involved with what we do they REALLLY DO CARE that a poster be appropriate and cater to their core audience. At least in the punk/ metal world anyway. Had I been left to do what I wanted with no approval from the people directly affected by the poster I might have fucked up and done something that would have made them unhappy..

I did this experiment not just because I wanted to be right ( well I DID kind of want to be right) but mostly because I am a learner. I wanted to know if I was totaly wrong in my thinking about how posters are made. I wanted to test my beliefs. I would have been just as happy if I were wrong believe it or not. I actualy kind of liked the first poster although deep down I knew it wasn't gonna be right for them. I still think it captures the feel of the show while not being totaly obvious.


So now I REALLY feel that when the band or label is not directly involved in the process it is definetly my responsability to try and make a poster that represents the show and style of music. It may not always be the case, but I will try to keep this in mind when designing my future posters. If I decide to do any more posters. Going off and doing whatever I want might not be the best way to handle it.


All in all it was a pretty interesting experiment.

[MaximumFluoride]

Oh, and I would like to add that the first poster is not totaly complete. The main text with the band names was far from done. This is just what I showed them of my progress. They stopped me cold so I didn't finish it.

[Brendan Jordan]

Well . . . I see your point, but it also could be that the second one just completely kicks ass.

[8ball]

My buds Retox and CB5! Stoked!

In regards to the experiment, I can see your point Mike. However, just comparing the two, the 2nd one pops more for me because of one color, text integrated better than the first one, etc. First poster color scheme doesn't grab me and the type treatment isn't as well as the second poster.

So, I guess the results could go both ways. I mean, if they layout in the first poster was as good as the second one, would the label still think it was gay? I mean, there's (as you said) the reason of what the label wants but I think there'd be less of a chance of them calling poster #1 gay if it was done better.

I dunno, you talked to them so you'd have a better understanding of them than I do...

Edit: just read the second post as I was writing this..nevermind..

[MaximumFluoride]

Yeah, they approved the second one from just the illo before I had any text on it.

[l.stalions]

i have always thought it essential to consider the wants of the label and band. of course, anyone that tells you to do anything is generalizing their thoughts. posters need to be a custom fit.

the first-new school

the second-old school with much more attitude. i'd love to see the color complete.

[dustin wallace]

i like the first one more. save it, and you can use it for the next metal show we do...whenever the hell that might be

[strawberryluna]

very interesting. sorta like an artistic social experiment or something. unfinished or no, i like the second poster more. to me, that one pops more and is more interesting to look at.

i'd tear it down (very carefully! heh) to keep.

[Unitus]

i think most people consider the band & their style/fanbase when designing a poster. i really do.

where things get mixed up is in that specific artists interpritation of the genre/music/style.

for instance, what jason cross thinks will work for high on fire, fisher doesn't. the debate on that poster alone shows that both sides (appropriate and non) saw ways the poster worked/didn't work.

the artist that doesn't give a shit, is the one we need to worry about.

[standard]

I would've done a cartoon elephant holding a comically undersized umbrella sitting in a rowboat. Baby blue and a pleasant brown on fancy paper.

you really dropped the ball on this one, Fisher.