Posters for the University of Illinois School of Music Opera Series

Client: Eduardo Diazmuñoz, Artistic Director and Conductor,University of Illinois School of MusicBrief: Every year, the School of Music produces three operasunder the direction of Maestro Diazmuñoz. The season isdesigned to offer opera fans a variety of flavors as well as toattract potential new audiences. Eduardo wanted a series ofposters that distinguished each individual production, yet tiedthe entire season together. In our initial meetings, Eduardoexplained that he saw opera as “love”: strong, potent andpassionate. We agreed that these posters should be modern,bold, colorful, simple and spicy.Process: Although all graphic design work is produced digitallythese days, the design process itself does not always involve thecomputer. Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator are greatvisualization and production tools, but they are helpful only if thedesigner starts with a strong concept. A typical project involves:➊ Research: After determining the target audience and thecommunication goals of the client, the designer needs to seekinspiration. Research could mean anything from finding imagesfor reference or listening to music or taking a walk in nature.Having an open mind and a strong curiosity helps.➋ Sketches: This is where ideas are born. Pencil and paper arestill the best tools to get ideas from brain to paper.➌ Execution: The computer is used to execute the art. Oftenthe art evolves into something new. Alternate ideas and variationsare explored. The best ideas are shown to the client.➍ Refinement: After receiving comments from the client,the art is revised and refined for printing.https://spark.parkland.edu/gd_fac_posters/1006/thumbnail.jp