Architecture and urbanism are two related fields of design that are often studied together The intersection between these two fields has resulted in a vibrant and growing sub-field of poster design that is devoted to showcasing ideas and concepts related to the built environment.
Architecture and urbanism posters are visual communications that use a combination of type, photography, illustration and graphics to communicate ideas about the practice of architecture and urbanism. They can range from promoting specific projects or architects to inspiring visual stories about the built environment.
The best architecture and urbanism posters tend to be those that capture a sense of place, communicating the beauty and allure of a specific city or project, while simultaneously communicating detailed information about the project or idea in a visually pleasing and highly informative way. Below are five examples of inspiring architecture and urbanism posters that demonstrate the power of visual storytelling:
1. Paris International Design, by Peter Biľak: This poster was commissioned for the Paris International Design Exhibition in 2011. The poster artfully combines architectural elements of Paris and a colorful palette of oranges, blues and yellows to create a vibrant, meaningful image of the city that captures both its modernity and its history.
2. Architectural Design, by Luba Lukova: This poster was commissioned for the Architectural Design magazine, and showcases the magazine's focus of merging architecture and design in visually compelling ways. The minimalistic layout, combined with the various angular shapes and lines, create a visually pleasing piece that reflects the magazine's mission.
3. "Density," by Dana Tanamachi: This poster was designed as part of an advertising initiative by the American Institute of Architects, with the intention of inspiring the public to think about the statistical density of cities. The poster's vivid illustration combines abstract and literal elements to create an appealing, highly informative visual.
4. "Urban Renewal," by Barton Marion: This poster was commissioned by the University of Michigan and showcases the university's commitment to creating more sustainable urban environments. The poster's layout combines photos and illustrations of architectural highlights from the university together with vibrant typography, all of which communicates the university's mission in an engaging way.
5. "Urban Structure," by Brian Clarke: This poster utilizes a unique visual layout to effectively communicate the complexities of urban design and planning. The poster combines an aerial view of a cityscape with an abstract composition of geometric shapes and type. This creates a highly imaginative visual that communicates the importance of urban design in a visually captivating way.
These examples demonstrate the power of architecture and urbanism posters to communicate complex ideas in a visually pleasing and informative way. From inspiring a commitment to sustainable urban design to presenting the allure of a particular city, these posters demonstrate the power of visual storytelling in promoting and educating people about the built environment.