Overview
A poster inspired by the city of Basel, Switzerland and the Swiss Style design aesthetic, a minimalist approach that was highly influential in the development of modern graphic design. As one of the movement's most influential centers, Basel is deeply rooted in design history, and its design heritage is reflected through the core principles of clarity, structure, and objectivity, which informed both the composition and visual language of this piece.
Design Process
This project explores the principles of Swiss Style aesthetics through the medium of poster design, a format that played an important role in the development of modern visual communication. Constraints for the project, which came from a Swiss design poster workshop, included a limited color palette of black and white, one photographic image, one graphic element, and a maximum of three words total. The selected photograph is of a kneeling cherub which appears in thinking position, as if going through a metamorphosis of thought, while the forward-facing arrow reflects an earnest sense of curiosity, openness, and a readiness to embrace the unknown. Inspiration for the project's conceptual theme was drawn from past travel and design study experiences in Basel, and the broader perspective and larger life lessons gained through experiencing a different culture.
