Annual Freaks and Geeks Gaming and Design Event Poster
BRIEF
I was tasked with creating a visually striking poster for the Freaks and Geeks Gaming and Design event contest that would showcase my understanding of design fundamentals including typography, color harmony, and hierarchy. To ensure maximum impact, I left space for future additions in case my entry emerged victorious.
PROBLEM/PROMPT
How can I design a poster that would deliver a handful of information to viewers in a clear and creative way?
CHALLENGE
With the intention of creating a standout informational poster that would appeal to a wide audience of gamers and Halloween fans, I chose a dark color palette and pixelated font. Drawing inspiration from retro gaming screens and consoles such as Gameboy and NES, I aimed to pay homage to retro games. Despite not having played retro games in the past, I have always been interested in the look that older arcade and home consoles had.
Role
Print Graphics, Illustration, Visual Design
Date
April 2023
Tools
Illustrator, Photoshop
Team
Solo Designer
Why
School/Portfolio Project
BRAINSTORMING
To ensure that I captured every crucial element, I started by making a comprehensive checklist and sketching out various layout options. With so much information to include, I knew that I needed a strong central graphic that would tie everything together. While I briefly considered using an anime girl as the centerpiece, I ultimately decided that a game console would be a more fitting choice given the emphasis on retro gaming at Freaks and Geeks. To help me further refine my design, I also created a moodboard on Pinterest to gather inspiration and ideas. By blending the spooky spirit of Halloween with the excitement of gaming, my goal was to create a poster that truly captures the essence of this unique event.
After laying the groundwork in the conceptual phase, I transitioned to the digital execution of the poster. My first step was to establish a textured white background and add a container for all the event information. Next, I placed the text and graphic that I created in Procreate, utilizing initial color choices to help distinguish each element from the others. Given that pixel fonts can be more challenging to read, I made adjustments such as increasing the size of the headline and body text to ensure that the messaging was clear and legible.
FINAL POSTER
REFLECTION
Through this project, I was able to fine-tune my graphic design skills by merging the themes of gaming and Halloween in an eye-catching event poster. Adhering to the dimensions set by the contest's criteria, I crafted the layout while incorporating the school logo. By utilizing a pixel font and including a Gameboy graphic, I aimed to evoke a sense of nostalgia that appeals to older audiences while simultaneously capturing the interest of younger ones. Additionally, I opted for arrow designs instead of traditional bullet points, as a nod to the selection screens commonly seen in retro games. The final result effectively delivers all the essential details about Freaks and Geeks while embodying a Halloween aesthetic. Overall, I am pleased with the outcome of this project.
