works
works
Graphic Design
Film Gala
This poster was created to promote the Film Gala hosted by the Oral Roberts University Media Arts department. The event celebrated student films and marked the first Film Gala held in the university’s new Media and Performing Arts building.
Category
Graphic Design
year
2025
Project process
creative process
creative process
creative process
approach
The process began with research into the goals of the event and the atmosphere the department wanted to convey. Because this was the first Film Gala in the new building, the team wanted a design that felt elegant while also evoking the classic movie-going experience.
I explored visual references from classic cinema aesthetics, particularly film noir, focusing on strong contrasts, dramatic lighting, and atmospheric compositions that reflect the timeless visual language of film.
challenges
One of the main challenges was balancing elegance with nostalgia. The poster needed to feel sophisticated enough for a gala event while still capturing the emotional memory of classic movie theaters.
concept and inspiration
The concept centers on recreating the emotional experience of entering a movie theater. The viewer’s perspective places them in the aisle of a dark cinema facing the illuminated screen, inviting them into the space and the event itself.
The visual tone draws inspiration from Film Noir, using high contrast lighting and deep shadows to create a dramatic and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic cinema.
Design execution
The final design emphasizes contrast, light, and atmosphere. Dramatic lighting guides the viewer’s eye toward the screen while the rows of seats create depth and perspective. Subtle texture and noise were added as a tribute to the grain commonly found in older films, reinforcing the nostalgic tone of the poster.
The typography was kept minimal and elegant to complement the cinematic composition without competing with the imagery.
approach
The process began with research into the goals of the event and the atmosphere the department wanted to convey. Because this was the first Film Gala in the new building, the team wanted a design that felt elegant while also evoking the classic movie-going experience.
I explored visual references from classic cinema aesthetics, particularly film noir, focusing on strong contrasts, dramatic lighting, and atmospheric compositions that reflect the timeless visual language of film.
challenges
One of the main challenges was balancing elegance with nostalgia. The poster needed to feel sophisticated enough for a gala event while still capturing the emotional memory of classic movie theaters.
concept and inspiration
The concept centers on recreating the emotional experience of entering a movie theater. The viewer’s perspective places them in the aisle of a dark cinema facing the illuminated screen, inviting them into the space and the event itself.
The visual tone draws inspiration from Film Noir, using high contrast lighting and deep shadows to create a dramatic and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic cinema.
Design execution
The final design emphasizes contrast, light, and atmosphere. Dramatic lighting guides the viewer’s eye toward the screen while the rows of seats create depth and perspective. Subtle texture and noise were added as a tribute to the grain commonly found in older films, reinforcing the nostalgic tone of the poster.
The typography was kept minimal and elegant to complement the cinematic composition without competing with the imagery.
approach
The process began with research into the goals of the event and the atmosphere the department wanted to convey. Because this was the first Film Gala in the new building, the team wanted a design that felt elegant while also evoking the classic movie-going experience.
I explored visual references from classic cinema aesthetics, particularly film noir, focusing on strong contrasts, dramatic lighting, and atmospheric compositions that reflect the timeless visual language of film.
challenges
One of the main challenges was balancing elegance with nostalgia. The poster needed to feel sophisticated enough for a gala event while still capturing the emotional memory of classic movie theaters.
concept and inspiration
The concept centers on recreating the emotional experience of entering a movie theater. The viewer’s perspective places them in the aisle of a dark cinema facing the illuminated screen, inviting them into the space and the event itself.
The visual tone draws inspiration from Film Noir, using high contrast lighting and deep shadows to create a dramatic and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic cinema.
Design execution
The final design emphasizes contrast, light, and atmosphere. Dramatic lighting guides the viewer’s eye toward the screen while the rows of seats create depth and perspective. Subtle texture and noise were added as a tribute to the grain commonly found in older films, reinforcing the nostalgic tone of the poster.
The typography was kept minimal and elegant to complement the cinematic composition without competing with the imagery.
approach
The process began with research into the goals of the event and the atmosphere the department wanted to convey. Because this was the first Film Gala in the new building, the team wanted a design that felt elegant while also evoking the classic movie-going experience.
I explored visual references from classic cinema aesthetics, particularly film noir, focusing on strong contrasts, dramatic lighting, and atmospheric compositions that reflect the timeless visual language of film.
challenges
One of the main challenges was balancing elegance with nostalgia. The poster needed to feel sophisticated enough for a gala event while still capturing the emotional memory of classic movie theaters.
concept and inspiration
The concept centers on recreating the emotional experience of entering a movie theater. The viewer’s perspective places them in the aisle of a dark cinema facing the illuminated screen, inviting them into the space and the event itself.
The visual tone draws inspiration from Film Noir, using high contrast lighting and deep shadows to create a dramatic and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic cinema.
Design execution
The final design emphasizes contrast, light, and atmosphere. Dramatic lighting guides the viewer’s eye toward the screen while the rows of seats create depth and perspective. Subtle texture and noise were added as a tribute to the grain commonly found in older films, reinforcing the nostalgic tone of the poster.
The typography was kept minimal and elegant to complement the cinematic composition without competing with the imagery.
