During my studies at Swinburne University of Technology, I had the honour of creating a Vitaphone Exhibition Poster for ACMI, Australia's national museum of screen culture. This project was not just about design; it was a deep dive into the history of film and television, marking the significant influence of the Vitaphone.
My Design Process and Research: I embarked on a thorough research process, utilising academic sources to unearth the Vitaphone's fascinating history. My design inspiration was drawn from the vintage era, using a palette of black, white, and rust colours. This choice was deliberate to evoke the golden age of cinema, inviting the audience on a nostalgic journey.
Typography and Layout Choices: I selected serif fonts for the title to mirror the retro theme, while opting for san serif fonts for the body text and subheadings to ensure clarity and ease of reading. This typographical approach was pivotal in maintaining aesthetic appeal and narrative coherence.
Integrating Brand Identity: Aligning with ACMI's brand identity was crucial. I incorporated their iconic black and white colour scheme, meticulously blending in ACMI's visual elements within the strict branding guidelines. This ensured that the poster was not only a representation of the exhibition but also a reflection of ACMI's visual identity.
Editorial Challenges and Solutions: One of the most significant challenges was condensing a vast historical narrative into a visually engaging format. Initially working with 2000 words, I refined the content to create a visual story that was both captivating and informative, undergoing numerous revisions to achieve this balance.
Engaging a Diverse Audience: The poster was designed with film enthusiasts, history buffs, and screen culture aficionados in mind. It is an invitation to explore the legacy of the Vitaphone and the evolution of cinema, blending design with storytelling.
Conclusion: Creating the ACMI Vitaphone Exhibition Poster was a journey through screen culture history, marked by meticulous research and strategic design. This project stands as a testament to the power of graphic design in bridging art, history, and storytelling, a journey that I am proud to have embarked upon.
