Did you know that props from 2001: A Space Odyssey are nearly impossible to find today? Stanley Kubrick destroyed many of them; he didn’t want them used in any other film productions.
That’s one of the facts we’ve taken away from this semester’s Typographic Systems course — the most advanced we teach in our graphic design program. This semester, students in my section are learning about graphic design in film and prop making. It has been a fascinating dive into the world of cinema. Here are some other interesting things we’ve learned:
The Saltburn title card was hand drawn and gilded; each frame took about half a day to create, so the entire title took months to complete.
How do you create notebooks straight from the mind of a serial killer? Designers Clive Piercy and John Sabel had to do just that for the film Seven. Filmmakers wanted to focus on the personality of the handwritten type, both perverse and obsessive. Those grotesque images featured throughout the notebooks? Printed at the local Kinko’s. Hope it wasn’t that person’s first day…
Films often use type that wouldn’t have been around at the time it’s set. There are many examples if you look hard enough. In the blockbuster Titanic, for example, some labels on the ship are typeset in Helvetica, which is an issue since it didn’t exist until 1959.
Much inspiration for this course and its structure was taken from Annie Atkins, author of Fake Love Letters, Forged Telegrams, and Prison Escape Maps: Designing Graphic Props for Filmmaking. Here’s a 99% Invisible episode if you’re interested in hearing more about her experience, her work, and exactly what goes into her craft.
Annie has many fantastic tips and tricks on creating authentic and practical props, particularly those created for a specific time period. Here’s one of the most interesting tips she shared, and one that I’ve incorporated into my design practice:
Get inspiration from eBay!
For example, seeking ideas to craft a nostalgic menu?
Looking for west-coast imagery as reference for a custom typeface?
Working on some … unique packaging?
Put it into practice! Here’s your brief:
Overview:
Delve into the world of ephemera, seeking out unique and intriguing items on eBay. Ephemera refers to items of collectible memorabilia, typically not intended to last for a long time: tickets, postcards, library cards, newspapers, receipts.
Your task is to select an item that captures your interest, then recreate it digitally, paying attention to detail and realism. Want to add a bit of wit? This is your chance! The more unique, the better.
Objective:
Explore and select
Browse eBay to discover a wide array of ephemera. Select an item that resonates with you personally or sparks your imagination. Consider the uniqueness, visual appeal, and potential for creative reinterpretation.Recreate
Use Photoshop tools and techniques to recreate the chosen ephemera digitally. Pay close attention to detail, typography, color, and composition to faithfully replicate the original while also infusing it with your own wit and flair.Innovate and expand
Optionally, take your project a step further by developing a brand or product inspired by your recreation. Consider how the visual elements, themes, and historical context of the ephemera can inform and shape your concept.
If you find yourself enjoying this type of project, keep it going! Start your own ephemera collection. Purchase these items online, search your home to see what’s laying around, or just look down while you’re walking through your daily life. Chances are, there are some good things waiting to be found.
Here are other great resources we’ve gathered this semester.
Art of the Title
H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, Samples and Free Downloads
David Rumsey’s Map Archive
Letterform Archive
Sainsbury Archive
Ready to share?
There is no deadline to complete the work. Start, finish, and share whenever you’re ready. Can’t wait to see what you create!