The Criterion Collection Finds a New Groove
The Criterion Collection, technical perfecter of some of the world’s great historical and contemporary films, recently released two works by French director, Louis Malle. The reinvented, illustrated covers that adorn Black Moon (1975) and Zazie dans le Métro (1960) were created by Yann Legendre. Criterion has not only continued to repackage these films with meticulous care regarding additional content and visual refinement, but they have also purposefully embraced graphic design as a way to add value for the consumers. Legendre’s fresh approach to image-making and typography help make these old films a new experience.
Two things we really enjoy doing when the weather finally turns warm in Chicago: grilling up some spring vegetables in the style of Provence for a backyard picnic, and designing the next Fall French Market poster for Lycée Français de Chicago. This year, Yann had several great ideas on the board to follow up his work over the past three seasons, and the dish he ultimately served up is a dandy. Two things you’ll need to do this summer: check back soon at the blog to find out how you can get your own 2011 poster, and make plans to attend the Fall French Market.
2009, 2010, and 2008 editions of the Fall French Market poster by Yann Legendre
IFC Films Introduces “Autoerotic”
Joe Swanberg’s latest film, an effort to illuminate the private sexual lives of Chicago urbanites, co-directed with Adam Wingard, again relies on the provocative but playful illustrations of Yann Legendre to create a poster packing some visual punch. The fourth Swanberg/Legendre collaboration, Autoerotic follows work on the films Uncle Kent, Caitlin Plays Herself, and Silver Bullets, the film for which Legendre was recently awarded the SXSW prize for best film poster.
IFC Films should be congratulated for embracing a visual treatment for the film that is true to its content. The poster for the film, which was not approved for use on Apple’s iTunes store, is displayed prominently on the IFC website.
IFC Films Website
Poster designed by Yann Legendre
We’re on the verge of opening the 2nd Chicago International Poster Biennial—an initiative we have shepherded since 2007—at Harrington College of Design on July 14th. While we are absorbed in the many details of putting on a major exhibition and event, it seems appropriate to reflect on why posters are important to us, especially since they are, in fact, a very small portion of the work we do for clients.
2008 CIPB Poster by Yann Legendre, 2010 Poster by Paula Scher
The text from the introduction of the Biennial exhibition catalog speaks pretty well to the importance we place on posters in our work as artists and designers. Excerpted from “Letter From the President, Lance Rutter” in The Second Edition: Chicago International Poster Biennial.
With one word, define a poster.
Propoganda. Passion. Challenge. Chirping. Metaphor. Mechanism. Aphorism. Seduction. Dialogue. Monologue. Satire. Siren. Irony. Inspiration. Advertising. Protest. Window. Mirror. Love. Hate. Trash. Collectible. Ephemeron. Masterpiece. Placeholder. Plea. Icon. Eye-candy. Weapon. Battle. Signal. Pledge. Gift. Defiance. Obsession. Any of these will do.
Time, as Einstein and others have said, is relative. The same holds true for posters. What defines them is not nearly as much the ink and paper forming the message, but the circumstance of their time and place in the world. At a singular point in time, from a particular human perspective, within the right cultural conditions, any singular word above could serve as the central definition of a given poster. So on the day that the 2nd Chicago International Poster Biennial exhibition opens at the Harrington College of Design, that word which best defines a poster, for me, is that it is a “lesson.”
Students of design, take heed. If you learn to wield the power of a poster, no method of communication that man will ever devise will be beyond your ability to grasp and master. Do not fear the next Internet, the next smart phone, tablet, or the next device of any kind. Learn to make a great poster, and you will have learned to speak a universal and timeless language, based on meeting human needs and desires. Take your first lesson from viewing the posters within the cover of this book—posters from all over the world, created by a hundred artists who have each demonstrated a unique passion and purpose in their work. Learn to create amazing posters, and you will have learned to move people, who can, in turn, move mountains.
-L.R.
Legendre+Rutter 