Saul Bass was a graphic designer famous for his innovative film title sequences and posters in the 1950s-1990s. He pioneered the use of simple geometric shapes and minimalist designs to capture the essence of films. His iconic posters and title sequences for films like The Man with the Golden Arm established his signature style of using minimal images and shapes to symbolize key themes. Bass' groundbreaking work with directors like Alfred Hitchcock transformed boring title sequences into an art form and influenced generations of graphic designers.

2. For the first fifty years of American film, posters were comprised of either boring paintings or photo’s of movie stars to lure the audience into cinema’s . And that’s the way it would most likely be today if it weren’t for one man: Saul Bass.

3. Saul Bass (1920-1996) was a graphic designer who became famous for his work in film and classic logo design.

4. He is best known for his use of simple, geometric shapes and their symbolism. Often, a single dominant image stands alone to deliver a powerful message.

5. Born on May 8, 1920, in New York City. He studied Design at the Art Students League in Manhattan. After apprenticeships with Manhattan design firms, Bass worked as a freelance graphic designer. Saul Bass: Early Career

6. In 1952 he moved to Los Angeles and opened his own Studio, named Saul Bass and Associates. He got his break when film director Otto Preminger invited him to design the poster for his 1954 movie, Carmen Jones.

7. Preminger, along with many other talented director’s were so impressed by the result, that Bass was commissioned to design a multitude of projects. Over the next decade he honed his skill by creating many posters and logo’s for film and throughout the rest of his career he became famous for his unique style.

8. Bass’s posters had an uncanny ability to capture the mood of a film with simple shapes and images. This was his preferred method as opposed to using a boring photograph of a film star.

9. These shapes, as well as type, were often hand drawn by Bass to create a casual appearance, always packed with a sophisticated message. Used to great effect in some of his most well known film posters,

10. Animated paper cut-out of a heroin addict's arm for the film ‘ The Man with the Golden Arm’, -(1955) The bold, simple geometric shapes and literal interpretation of the subject matter (in this case, heroin addiction) would become the hallmarks of Bass’s personal style.

11. All of Bass's posters had a distinctive style His work spanned five decades and inspired numerous other designers.

12. Thanks to his collaborations with great directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese, Bass would go on to design not only the film posters, but also animate and direct the opening title credit sequences to over sixty motion pictures,,,,

13. He revolutionized the way that people viewed title credit sequencesby using the time not just to display the information but give a short visual metaphor or story that intrigued the viewer. Often times it was a synopsis or reference to the movie itself.

14. The Man With The Golden Arm (1955) Bass turns the opening title sequence into a pivotal part of the movie experience. It may look out-dated by today’s standards but before this(1955), they were a boring experience that projectionists often skipped over. Here, they become an art form.The arty, impressionistic lines represent not only Frank Sinatra’s main talent, but also his addiction to heroin. Simple but beautiful.Restrained, gorgeous and accomplished, the credits easily set audiences up for the similarly polished drama that is to follow.

15. His list of title credit sequences include films such as,,,,

16. In addition to his work for Hollywood, Saul Bass has created the corporate image of numerous companies,

17. He had a large involvement in Airline logos over his lifetime.

18. Between 1991 and 1996 Saul Bass also designed the posters for the Oscar Awards ceremony

19. Saul Bass died in 1996, in Los Angeles, leaving behind a flourishing design empire and a heritage which will continues to inspire creative designers and film-makers.

20. Saul Bass’ work influenced generations of graphic designers to follow and transformed the pedestrian movie title sequence into an art form in itself.

21. Power Point slideshow design: Barry Morey Presentation: Stephen Hickey Research: Barry Morey, Stephen Hickey

22. References/ Bibliography http://www.digitalmediafx.com/Features/saulbass.html http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm?contentalias=saulbass http://www.saulbass.net/articles/saulbass.html http://www.thelooniverse.com/movies/west/saulbass/saulbass.html http://www.learnaboutmovieposters.co NewSite/INDEX/ARTISTS/bassbio.asp http://hitchcock.tv/people/bass.html