Creative Poster Design Specialization

The poster: functionality and aesthetics

A poster must clearly and directly communicate a message. To attract attention among all the visual noise that surrounds us, it must also be aesthetically attractive. In this lesson we are going to study what are the elements that make up a poster and what functional aspects each of them must fulfill.

The visual metaphor

The visual metaphor is the way through which an idea is transmitted quickly and easily, making it understandable to everyone. In this lesson you will see, through examples from our study, how this technique helps us to generate layers of meanings and concepts in our posters.

Techniques for generating images

When it comes to shaping our poster we have multiple techniques with which to materialize our ideas. In this lesson we will review the main techniques that we use explaining the possibilities of each of them.

Special production techniques

In this lesson I will introduce you to some special production techniques. Posters that change color with temperature, that vary according to the perspective from which they are viewed or images created with programming. The options on the market are multiple, they can help us to promote the idea of our poster, creating a more direct link with the viewer.

The irruption of the digital world

Social networks have changed the way we communicate and posters have had to adapt to these new environments. We will review the most common formats to which a poster is usually adapted and the aspects that we have to take into account before designing it.

The assignment: development and analysis of the briefing

In this lesson we are going to define and analyze the order on which we are going to work a poster. We will do it through a briefing where we will mark what the communication objectives are, what audience we are targeting and what are the supports to which we have to apply our creativity.

Create key concepts

To make a poster that communicates and reaches the viewer in a clean and direct way, it has to be based on a powerful and solid idea. In this lesson we will learn how to generate them.

How to communicate the concept visually. Define the graphic style

Defining the graphic style with which we are going to express ourselves is key to being aligned with the communication objectives of the poster. We will define the main elements of the poster, technique, typography, color and composition. Previous considerations before starting to sketch.

Sketch and define the central motif

In this lesson, we will shape the ideas raised in the previous unit. With paper and pencil we will sketch the possible graphic solutions, we will select among all of them the one that we are going to develop for our poster.

Production resources

Once we have defined the final sketch, we face the execution phase, first we have to specify the production resources according to the technique with which we are going to work: • Background • Object (skull) • Glue in spray • Chopped parsley • Photographic material (camera + flash +)

The creation of the central motif of the poster

Now is the time to give shape to all the ideas and sketches. We created the central motif of the poster: see how the skull is made.

Shooting

Once our object is prepared, we will see how to create a small photographic set that allows us to photograph it for its subsequent retouching and layout.

The typographic selection and layout of the main piece 1

I will show you some tools that will help us choose the fonts that have just made up our poster. A good typographic selection and its subsequent layout are basic elements to generate a complete final piece.

The typographic selection and layout of the main piece 2

In this lesson you will see the layout process of our poster and the aspects of its composition.

Presentation of the proposal to the client

We will prepare a presentation document for the client where we will explain all the creative phases step by step. We will rely on the briefing to justify each of our decisions.

Adaptation of the poster to different printed and digital formats

We will test the versatility of our creativity by applying it to different printed formats and we will create an animated version for its application in digital contexts.

20m

Final art

Finally, we will make the final art of our main piece, checking all the technical requirements before sending it to the printer.

Module 3

BlueTypo invites you to explore the expressive power of combining analog and digital techniques. You'll dive into key concepts like mental maps and information hierarchy, and discover how to transform ideas into bold, experimental posters. A creative process designed to help you build, shape, and share your vision with confidence.

15 lessons (1h 35m)

Mental maps

Now let's see what mind maps are, what they are for, and how we use them to define the idea that we are going to work on.

Design requirements

In this lesson we will see how the design requirements will help us determine the expressive and formal characteristics of our project.

Analogies

In this lesson, Eréndida will show you what the analogies consist of and how we can use them in typography to, in this way, apply them to your projects.

Basic rules

In this lesson, Eréndida will show you some basic rules of composition and will give you some tips, which you can take into account, when making a typographic poster.

Reticles

Now, Manolo will show you some techniques that we use to order items and keep them provided.

Levels of attention

To finish this unit, Eréndida will explain to you how we order the typographic elements to establish levels of importance or hierarchy of elements.

Formal attributes of typography

In this lesson we will see some basic characteristics and attributes of typography for use in poster design, such as: nomenclature, form, structure and proportion.

Expressive attributes of typography

Here we will focus on knowing the expressive attributes of the letter, such as: shape, color, size, weight and position, among others.

Typographic selection

Here we will show you examples of how to correctly use typographic attributes in a given project, taking into account its nature.

Representation techniques

In this lesson, we will show you some techniques that you can use to create your poster.

Analogous collage

Now, we will focus on the graphic representation of the chosen concept, this by developing an analog collage.

Armed in Illustrator: typography

Once our elements have been digitized, we will start building the digital poster, putting into practice the knowledge acquired previously.

Armed in Photoshop: final composition and color

Already with the typography accommodated, we will go to Photoshop, where we will finish composing the poster and add the background, color and textures.

In this lesson we will give you some tips to present your projects through an online portfolio.

Show your work

Promote your work

Finally, Manolo will show you the way we publish our work automatically, and promote it to take advantage of our social networks.

Module 4

Step into the vibrant world of poster design with Marte, who blends bold lettering and graphic design to create visuals that truly speak. This lesson shows you how to build a compelling composition from the ground up using Illustrator, combining message and style to craft posters that grab attention and leave a mark.

17 lessons (2h 54m)

What Is a Poster?

I’m going to introduce you to the origin of the posters in the late 1800s, and we’ll go over the basic features that are characteristic of them.

Introduction to Graphic Styles

I will show you different artistic styles for you to understand how aesthetic decisions can communicate an idea or an emotion. Also, you will realize how the letters and illustrations combined with each other are going to be very important to make a poster look solid.

Mood Board

I will show you how to go over the research of inspiration before starting your working process. You will know what I find interesting on a mood board and how does it help me with my designs.

You will learn what a grid is, and how you can use it to organize the different elements of the poster to make an authentic composition.

Layout

Thumbnail Sketches

I will teach you how to start drafting ideas for your posters. I’m going to show you my method, which is doing a lot of thumbnail sketches, very quickly and very roughly, until I find one interesting enough to work on.

Lettering

I will introduce you to the basics of lettering, that way you can use it to add personality to the letters of the title of your poster.

You will learn how to import a photo of your design into illustrator and convert it into a vector file on which you can work. To do this, I’ll teach you how to use the Image Trace tool and the Pencil tool. Are you ready?

Digitize 1

I will keep showing you how to digitize your poster. I will share with you some tricks to make easier this process.

Digitize 2

I’m going to show you how to use the Pencil tool to retrace your illustration. You will learn how to set up the tool to get different stroke results.

Refining Illustration

Using Typography

Lettering and illustration are going to be the main ingredients of your poster. But sometimes, you might still need to use typography. I’m gonna share with you some tricks to push the boundaries of what you can do with it. Also, I’ll show you how to tweak it to make it look less clean and vectorial, so it combines with the illustration and lettering.

I want to share with you some tips on how to use the right color palette for your design. Besides, you will learn how to use the Recolor Artwork tool, so you can try different palettes quickly and easily!

Color 1

During this second part of the lesson, I will share with you some questions I make to myself to decide which color palette I will use. In the end, you will see which is the poster I will keep using for my project.

Color 2

Ornamentation

Sometimes our poster needs just a bit of decoration. I will show you techniques to create frames, outlines and add drop shadows to the lettering.

17m

Scale

On the streets, it's easy to recognize a poster as such, but what if you see it out of context or on a post on social media? In this lesson, you will learn how to add details that will give clues of the scale for your poster.

Let's make your poster more interesting! You will learn how to add paper textures to your digital file.

Texture

Setting Up the File and Posting on Social Media

I will share with you tips on how to show your work online. In my case, I’m going to share it on Instagram to show you, but remember I will be waiting to see your own final project on the forum!

Set Up the File for Screenprinting

During this lesson, you will learn how to separate the colors of your design into different layers so you can set the file for screen printing.

Presentation of the Materials

Module 5

David Plunkert welcomes you into the imaginative world of theater posters, where sharp ideas meet striking visuals. You’ll explore how to tackle design challenges with humor and bold concepts, using tools like ink, collage, and digital software. Get ready to create posters that grab attention and spark emotion from the very first glance.

8 lessons (32m)

To begin with, I will show some of the materials I use to make posters and talk about how you will use them.

Reading the Text to Generate Ideas and Thumbnail Sketches

In this lesson, I will give you tips on reading a play's text to generate ideas effectively.

Composing the Initial Poster Design

Lastly, I will show you how to refine a rough sketch and compose a poster design.

Creating Poster Art Elements with Pencils, Pens, or China Markers

I will start by teaching you how to identify the various elements of your rough illustration and render them with pencil and china marker several times on bond paper. You will also learn to use different angles and poses.

Creating Poster Art Elements with Brushes and Ink

In this lesson, I will show you how to go from a rough pencil sketch to completed art using brushes and ink.

Creating Poster Art Elements with Collage

Last, but not least, in this lesson, I will show you how to go from a rough pencil sketch to completed art using collage.

Putting the Elements of the Poster Art Together in Adobe Photoshop

In this lesson, I will show you how to take your scanned images and make a final illustration using Adobe Photoshop.

Finalizing the Layout, Adding Color, and Preparing the File for Printing

To finish, I will show you how to complete your final poster design in Adobe InDesign. You will learn how to add text and save your file for different printing methods: 2-color offset, screen printing, 4-color offset lithography, and 4-color digital.

Module 6

Bruno Miranda takes you into the vibrant universe of illustration, where movie posters and album covers become storytelling tools. Inspired by pop culture and music, you'll learn to use Photoshop to craft visuals filled with color, texture, and emotion—turning simple ideas into iconic images that connect deeply with your audience.

16 lessons (1h 45m)

The energy that drives

In this class, I will talk about my experience creating posters and music album covers.

Tools

Now, you will learn about and practice the Photoshop tools that we will use in the course.

Colors

In this class, we will study the color wheel and understand some concepts about colors.

Briefing

In this class, I will explain how to conceive initial ideas for the project based on the brief.

mood board

With the main concepts studied, I will now show you how you can collect references and create a mood board, which will guide and inspire the creation of the course project.

Sketches and photographs

In this class, you will create the first sketches and, using your cell phone, capture some photographs that will serve as the basis for the art.

In this class, I will show you how to compose the photographs you took and how to draw some elements by hand to include in the poster later.

Composition

Line art

In this class, you will draw, following the composition of photographs you created as a basis, in addition to adding the handmade drawing.