The Poster as a Communication Medium

The poster has been one of the important visual media for many years. With its form and capacity for conveying messages, it is an indispensable part of urban life. We quickly realise that the poster is a more powerful medium than it appears at first glance. The possibility of mass reproduction further increases this power.

Problem

The poster has been one of the important visual media for many years. With its form and capacity for conveying messages, it is an indispensable part of urban life. It is used for communication by states, companies, organisations, institutions and all others who wish to convey information or a message.

The poster can address us, warn us, shock us and draw us into reflection. With its graphic image, which is supported by text, it is an excellent medium of which we can say that, despite its long history, it remains contemporary and unique. This diploma thesis discusses the significance of the poster as a communication and visual medium.

Are we even aware of how present the poster is in our lives? How many times have you attended a theatre performance, a concert or voted for a politician who had the best slogan written beneath their picture, precisely because of a poster you saw in the city?

Results

We quickly realise that the poster is a more powerful medium than it appears at first glance. The possibility of mass reproduction further increases this power. Every medium has its own rules when it comes to design, and the poster is no exception.

Therefore, the diploma thesis addressed terms such as graphic design and visual communication. In the second part of the diploma thesis – the research part – a theatre poster and a theatre programme were designed. The rules of design were observed and this demonstrated that merely observing the rules and knowing the principles of design lead to a good product.

Of course, it is important that the designer follows design trends, is creative and, most importantly, constantly learns new skills, whether these involve computer programmes, art theory or typography.