The Travel
Poster Project

The Travel Poster Project is an opportunity to combine the design elements of typography and illustration into a cohesive and compelling composition.

The location can be real or imaginary (see examples by professionals on this page). The challenge is to evoke a the culture and appeal of the chosen place considering: iconic building(s) and appropriate fonts, colors and or patterns.

This also opens up the world of illustration. For a sample value study project, download this sample. For a Travel Poster workflow sample, check out this Seattle Travel Poster. Note: There are a lot of stylistic options, so check out outside videos too like this one covering how to create a textured look.)

Assessment

As with all Pro Projects, keep in mind that your work will be assessed by:

  • Professionalism - Project is done "to spec", follows directions, and fulfills all requirements.

  • Craftsmanship - Project exhibits an admirable application of design principles, an aesthetic style, and use of app workflows.

  • Challenge - There is producible evidence that the final design underwent the entire design process and was significant challenging.

  • Originality - Project content is unique (not copied, derivative, a template, AI generated in part or whole, or a reproduction of a tutorial).

Process

1. Communicate

With the cover project, start by picking a dream location - and give yourself a client questionnaire in order to form a clear design brief.

Here are the essential question you need to ask yourself

  • What is the cultural essence of the place? how can this be made clear visually?

  • What visual elements (colors, fonts, styles, etc. would evoke a sense of this location?)

  • What essential typography is required (location and tagline are minimum.)?

  • What illustration style best suites this cover?

2. Research

Based on your design brief, visit the following websites and conduct some related searches:

Google (related cover search)
Behance (illustration styles)
Dafont (use custom sample field)
Google Fonts (use custom sample field)
TextureLab (great, free textures)

If a cover, font, etc resonates with you, screen grab it (CMD+Shift+4 on a Mac, Win + Shift + S on a PC). After you have +20 images, drop the collective images into gomoodboard.

3. Ideate

Based on your moodboard, grab your sketchbook and draw at least 6 possible cover solutions.

From these initial 6 solutions, selected one. Flip the page over and draw 6 new variations based on the initial solution you selected.

From this second round of 6, pick your top solution.

Before you fully commit, get some feedback from classmates, family, . . . anyone you can. Listen to learn - and be open to suggestions - you might come up with an even better solution with some outside feedback.

4. Formalize

Using Illustrator, either draw from scratch or import/trace your top solution. Paying close attention smooth curves, aligned edges and other professional standards (see “Specs and Standards” below).

 

Specs and
Standards

 

Your cover should be setup and turned in with the following specs:

  • 11 x 17 inches

  • 2 or more typographic elements (location, tagline, etc.)

  • 2 or more illustration element (silhouettes, value studies, etc.)

  • Optional - design elements (pattern, texture, etc.)

  • RGB

  • upload .jpg files for your check-in and final submission but be sure to save your source .ai files as well.

 

Issues and
Guidlines

Here are some common challenges and helpful guidelines for cover designers to consider.

 

MAKE IT MEMORABLE

Try to evoke a sense of interest and theme - make your audience eager to engage and know more.

BE ON BRAND

If designing a magazine cover, be sure to research and stick to their standard title, layout, fonts, etc.

REALLY REIMAGINE

If creating an existing cover, make sure it is a new concept - not merely a derivative or copy.

PHOTO-MIX-O

If using a photo, be sure to make it more than a copy-n-paste. Use blend modes, illustration, etc to make it more original.