MEMO
MEMORANDUM
To: Jeffery Sterr, Instructor, COMM 1170, A01
From: Student and Student, COMM 1170, A01
Date: October 24, 2019
Re: Proposal – Technical Report Topic for COMM 1170
Introduction
The focus of this proposed report topic entitled [insert title] is to research the history and resurgence of illustrative movie poster design, and to consider the merits of modern design trends.
Background
Current movie posters have lost their creative flair, becoming generic templates to be reused. We wish to uncover the reasons for the stagnation of current designs, assess what made the illustrative method so successful, discover the reasoning behind their decline, and investigate a possible resurgence.
Proposal Plan & References
The process will consist of each team member being responsible for one body section of the report while collaborating on the third. In addition, the secondary tasks will be divided or shared between the team members as necessary. The topics of the report include: the history of illustrated poster design, modern design trends, and the future of illustration in movie poster design.
Attachment: Tentative outline for proposed research paper and APA formatted resources. Contents may be subject to change.
Feasibility and Relevance
The question being asked is if there is a place for illustrated works, fueled by creativity and striving for impact, in today’s movie marketing, or if the modern standard, with its visual lexicon of instantly recognizable indicators, is the best means of promoting feature films. The goal of our report is to determine if there is room for creative innovation on the part of the designer in an otherwise stale era of movie poster design.
Schedule
Over the next month the tasks for the completion of the report with be dispersed evenly between the members of the research team. The specifics are detailed in the attached schedule.
Authorization
Through research into the specifics of the design process we will develop a broadened sense of the scope of a designer’s role in marketing jobs, helping to inform our decisions on future career paths.We submit this topic for approval, and eagerly await your decision. For further clarification on our topic we can be reached at _______________.
Movie Posters: Illustrated Design in a Modern World
General Topic: Changes to the design style of movie posters
Objective or research question: To research the history of movie poster design focusing on the illustrative works of the past, the merits of the current design trends, and the future of the illustrative method.
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Illustrative Poster Design: Discuss the history of illustrative movie poster and highlight a key
contributor of illustrated works.
2.1 Background and History
2.2 Artist highlight: Drew Struzan
3.0 Modern Poster Design Explore the design and vetting process of modern film posters.
3.1 Process of the modern design
3.2 Marketing decisions of the final poster
4.0 Future of Illustrative Poster Design: Discussion of the continued interest in the illustrative poster.
4.1 Fan works/ Independent licensing
4.2 Variations for international release
4.3 Current demand for illustrative posters
5.0 Conclusion: TBD
6.0 References (use correct IEEE format – APA is used below instead of IEEE)
[1] ADMEC Multimedia. (2017, November 1). Types of Movie posters. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from
https://www.admecindia.co.in/blog/types-movie-posters
[2] Burke, D. (Director). (2017) 24x36: A Movie About Movie Posters [Motion picture]. USA: Post
No Joes Production
Snoad, L. (2012, May 11). How Top Studios Create their best Movie posters for Hollywood and
Indie Films. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/graphic-design/how-top-studios-create-their-best-movie-posters-for-hollywood-indie-films/
Struzan, D. & Schow, D. (2010). The Art of Drew Struzan ( 1st ed.) London, UK : Titan Books
Raz, D. (2019, May 16). Graphic Design: Insights into Creating Movie Posters. [Blog Post].
Retrieved from https://icons8.com/articles/graphic-design-movie-posters/
Technical Research Report Project Planner (dividing the work evenly if in pairs)
Team Member Name(s):
____________________________________________________________________________
Proposed Report Title: Movie Posters: Illustrated Design in a Modern World