Posters in many different styles can be eye-catching; the more individualized, the better.
Even a person with no design experience can study a few key principles and techniques to put together a beautiful and professional poster. Whether you are designing a poster for an event, a band or just a project for fun, you can use a combination of colors and styles to create visual interest. Look at movie posters and promos online to find an aesthetic that works for you and your purpose. If you are comfortable with computer design programs, create your design and have a copy center print out the digital file. Otherwise, you can use stamps or even an old-fashioned letterpress to design the poster by hand.
Instructions
1. Write out all the text that you will use on your poster. Put each element (sentence or line) in different text boxes, if you are working electronically. if you are working to compose the poster manually, consider putting each line on a separate sheet of paper, so that you can rearrange them as necessary. Legibility should be priority number one, since the main purpose is to give information --- no matter how little. If you choose to use a complicated or flowery font, limit it to the title or event name and keep the font large.
2. Choose a focal point. Once you have planned your text, choose one element on the poster that will stand out and draw the eye. It can be a word, a phrase or a graphic element. The focal point does not need to be in the middle or at the top of the page; however, it does need to be large and bold. Use contrasting colors or fonts to make a strong statement and be sure to have only one focal point. From there, you can determine the hierarchy by placing elements logically and in alignment on a clear visual path.
3. Use repetition to create a unified look for your poster. For example, replicate a small image in different areas of the page. You may use the image as a bullet point, or enlarged and faded as part of the background.
You can also use repetition to organize your poster. Make the date, time and location the same size or font. However, you should also use contrast to keep the poster visually interesting. Use two opposite fonts, such as serif and sans serif, or colors on the opposite side of the wheel. You can even do some words vertically and others horizontally.
4. Remove elements from the page. The key to creating strong design is the ability to edit. Once you have everything you want on the poster, take a step back and look at your creation. Then, look at it from an even further distance and through a squint. Get a feel for the general impression of the poster, instead of specific parts of it. Add white space to make the remaining elements more clear and less crowded. Leave space around each unit and strive for simplicity, even with a lot of designs on the page.
