We are delighted to announce the winners of our 2017 International Poster Competition.
In 3rd place:
Robert Radziejewski Berlin Summer University of the Arts 2017 (Germany) “The sun is the symbol for summer.
It directly speaks to the observer and provides
all important information on the university’s
offered courses. It’s puerile appearance aims
to take away the seriousness of the institution
to encourage more people to attend the
programmes.” Robert Radziejewski “I felt good about this poster from the first impression. After reading the caption, it immediately became my adored work. I had not imagined that the yellow circle looking like Pac Man would be a sun... It’s interesting to see the speech bubbles work like sunshine rays. There are light touches in the design but moderate seriousness remains, so in the end it’s overall look is very sophisticated. It is comfortable to look at and at the same time it’s clever, cute, charming, sophisticated. Seoul is already in the fall, and this poster reminds me of last summer. Not only the last summer of this year, but also the summers of my childhood. The inspiration of this poster begins in a cutesy manner but ends nostalgically. Reminds me of something I once lost.” Jaemin Lee “The poster has an appealing bitter-sweet feeling. There is an enjoyable simplicity in being able to trace the train of thought for the idea of the poster; summer, sun, happiness and announcing information, speech bubbles. Visual symbols which perhaps might seem cliché or mundane are being reused and reinvented in a fresh and playful way.” Warriors Studio “With most entries leaning heavily on computer generated
graphics, it was refreshing to come across the simplicity
and naivety of this hand-drawn entry during the judging
process. There is a time and a place to get deep and
meaningful don’t get me wrong, but what I loved most
about this poster is its confident and considered no-frills
approach. It cuts through the noise and what you see is
what you get.” Jamie McIntyre
In 2nd place:
Team Thursday Moving Futures Festival 2014 2014 (The Netherlands) Jury's comments:
There are a number of qualities Moving Futures series
has which the judges commended. Firstly, it was one of
few posters within the competition which integrated a
consideration of financial restraints and conditions into
the design process. One poster, printed in one colour
was edited by hand to create a series of editions uniquely
relevant to multiple events in multiple locations. “Bold, simple and honest, made with a great attitude.
Communicates the content very well. Clearly, a series
that is made with a lot of fun. I really like the performative
action, involved with dance, which is involved in making
the posters. Would love to have seen this performative
poster-making-action!” Koos Breen “The carefully constructed typography, juxtaposed with
the hand-made playful marks showcases two arguably
opposing or disparate aspects of design. The series is
both considered and well constructed but also free and
playful. There’s an accessibility and authenticity to the
design which is also valuable.” Warriors Studio It must be addressed that these posters were designed
in 2014, as a competition, we accept entries designed
within the past 3 years, so it is permitted, although this
welcomed debate and discussion amongst the jury.
However, given that the merits the poster series is being
commended for are equally relevant today, and are still
highlighted as being well considered, intelligent and
produced to a good standard, this is a testament to the
quality of the work.
In 1st place:
Aurelia Peter Langnau Jazz Nights 2016 (Switzerland) Jury's comments:
“The appealing point of this poster is the harmony of
slightly awkward elements. The extremely extended
or extremely condensed type, mixed in a somewhat
coarse state, and the rounded corners which are not
common to see in a jazz poster all work well together.
It looks a bit uncomfortable and yet I can not take my
eyes off it, which I think is the aesthetic of this poster.
Also, it takes quite a lot of effort to decode information
such as dates, but I think that’s a part of its personality.
Jazz music resembles that characteristic. Jazz is good
because it’s not obvious. This poster doesn’t make me
think of modern jazz or post-bop jazz, but more of a
fairly contemporary European jazz. It is encouraging to
note this because there haven’t been many good visual
outputs in that particular genre. The poster also reminds
me of a city’s night somehow. This is also a kind of work
that makes me look for a long time.” Jaemin Lee “I think it’s difficult to communicate an atmosphere
through a poster, but Langnau Jazz Nights
does it
beautifully. I can almost feel the vibes inside the club.
The poster is interesting from a technical point of view
but it also has an emotive quality. It has soul. It also lives
as a contradiction. It’s simple yet complex. It’s big and
bold, but there are many beautiful details to draw you
in. It’s intriguing like there’s more than meets the eye.
I find a different aspect exciting, each time I look at it.”
Warriors Studio “It’s a well-crafted and balanced poster. The composition
is very well considered and despite the strict composition,
the poster doesn’t feel rigid at all. The rhythm of the jazz
is well communicated. The ‘pagewide’ typography almost
works like an alternative music notation.” Koos Breen “To the detriment of the genre, communications around
jazz are often riddled with clichés and Saul Bass rip off’s.
This poster feels more contemporary and progressive
in its execution. With its dense use of black and clever
use of negative space, it feels like the whole poster is
connected in some way, like a fluid cross-section of a
brass instrument I just want to play.” Jamie McIntyre You can read an interview with each of the three winners alongside 7 other designers featured in our 2017 International Poster Exhibition. In the shop here:
http://gdfs.uk/shop