A presentation on the use of shapes in Poster design

1. Recently I have discovered that I am going to have to make a poster for my short film. Therefore I am
going to research into posters and the way they are constructed according to different genres and
moods of the film. Clearly there is repetition within these posters as they all take a dominant shape
according to the genre and style. Katy Wyman another media student, did some research in
conventions of posters. Her research has been very useful to me.
Here are a couple of examples :
THE CIRCLE:
The circle is the most frequently used shape within posters, it is supposedly used to entice the
audience and attract a large audience. It is most commonly used in children's films and especially is
used with Disney movies.

2. THE TRIANGLE:
The triangle is used to symbolise a strong and powerful character whether they are a
protagonist/hero or antagonist/villain. The shape of the triangle and the create edges show that our
character within the film will take risks and will not be afraid to. For example in the Clockwork
Orange poster our protagonist is trapped within the triangle which highlights the theme of
incarceration which is major in the film, the pointy shapes along with the knife shows that there will
be heavy violence in the movie.

3. THE CENTRAL PILLAR: This type of poster is normally used in typical high concept movie. It shows
a character that is indeed very strong and powerful. A pillar represents a strong support and pillars
normally hold up bridges and buildings. This suggests that this character is holding and supporting
the world they live in and take responsibility of their civilisation.
CHARACTER COLLAGE: This connotes a adrenaline packed, fast paced, action packed film. The
audience should be expecting a complicated plot with twists where they meet a selection of
characters. This is normally used for thriller/action films.

4. ASKEW POSTERS: The world in these movies is not normal. It may be crammed with action or
drama but their has to be something about his tale that is 'askew', as in the poster. You can
clearly see within some of the posters that there is something not quite right about the characters
world that they live in. For example in Maniac the framing of the poster is tilted and the enigma of
seeing the protagonist face shows that there is something that’s quite "askew"

5. THE SPIRAL: A spiral within the poster relates to a whirlpool,black hole etc. As an audience this
signifies to us that it will be a story where the character is involuntary sucked into the world of the
film and down their path that will be the story. In Alice in Wonderland we see Alice who is curious
naturally and through her curiosity is sucked down this rabbit hole which will lead her to
Wonderland and lead her to obstacles she will have to over come and ultimately change from a
young naive girl to a strong and brave woman
SPACIOUS POSTERS: Spacious posters are some of the least common types of poster, it is harder
for the audience to identify with it. It is most likely they do not want to give away part of the
exposition in the story, or they are attracting the audiences attention to a specific aspect. It shows
that this is an open and wide world and possibly that the characters travel around a lot. It leaves the
audience thinking and assuming things about the film.