They Appear When I'm Not Looking
March 9, 2010 10:39 AM Subscribe
Where online can I find masterful montages for design reference and inspiration?
By "montage," I do not mean collage or mosaic or anything involving photography or video. I mean carefully constructed 2D designs made by hand, by real illustrators. If it's not a montage, then I don't know, but it's tough to describe what I'm looking for, though when I'm not looking, they seem to be everywhere.
In function, something like a title page or movie poster, or possibly a comic cover, or illustrated song lyrics. Common elements are a bold, calligraphic title, a central subject, abstractions or miniatures of various scenes/features, and an elegant layout (whether sparse or decorative). But in style, mostly like comic art or bookplates (Ex Libris art) or book illustrations. Some art nouveau posters have the kind of lines and rhythms that I am thinking of. But maybe even woodcuts/block prints.
The best example I can find to give you is Peter Pontiac (but dang if I can find a site with lots of his work). Also like works by Bill Sienkiewicz, Hal Foster, Bernie Wrightson, and Arthur Rackham. IIRC, Tolkien did stuff similar to what I am thinking of. But I can't seem to find great examples (by them) of what I mean. Maybe I am looking at the wrong sites. More likely I am confusing one artist's style with another's. It feels like there is a single artist whose work is exemplary of this but my brain has dumped the info.
Again, I don't mean a collage. Maybe there is a better word than montage for something as specific as I describe, and if so, please please enlighten me. And is there a word for illustrating lyrics, as Peter Pontiac does? I used to try my hand at that but don't know what to call it.
Thank you in advance.
By "montage," I do not mean collage or mosaic or anything involving photography or video. I mean carefully constructed 2D designs made by hand, by real illustrators. If it's not a montage, then I don't know, but it's tough to describe what I'm looking for, though when I'm not looking, they seem to be everywhere.
In function, something like a title page or movie poster, or possibly a comic cover, or illustrated song lyrics. Common elements are a bold, calligraphic title, a central subject, abstractions or miniatures of various scenes/features, and an elegant layout (whether sparse or decorative). But in style, mostly like comic art or bookplates (Ex Libris art) or book illustrations. Some art nouveau posters have the kind of lines and rhythms that I am thinking of. But maybe even woodcuts/block prints.
The best example I can find to give you is Peter Pontiac (but dang if I can find a site with lots of his work). Also like works by Bill Sienkiewicz, Hal Foster, Bernie Wrightson, and Arthur Rackham. IIRC, Tolkien did stuff similar to what I am thinking of. But I can't seem to find great examples (by them) of what I mean. Maybe I am looking at the wrong sites. More likely I am confusing one artist's style with another's. It feels like there is a single artist whose work is exemplary of this but my brain has dumped the info.
Again, I don't mean a collage. Maybe there is a better word than montage for something as specific as I describe, and if so, please please enlighten me. And is there a word for illustrating lyrics, as Peter Pontiac does? I used to try my hand at that but don't know what to call it.
Thank you in advance.
Response by poster: I like the video game package homages, but that's nothing like what I have in mind. Nor any van murals from what I saw. Thanks though.
posted by rahnefan at 11:47 AM on March 9, 2010
posted by rahnefan at 11:47 AM on March 9, 2010
Some art nouveau posters have the kind of lines and rhythms that I am thinking of.
You mean like Mucha?
posted by juv3nal at 12:07 PM on March 9, 2010
You mean like Mucha?
posted by juv3nal at 12:07 PM on March 9, 2010
Have you tried browsing ffffound? Based on your (somewhat inclusive) description I think that you will eventually find the sort of thing you are looking for there.
Although the blog focuses mostly on typography, you may wish to try The Ministry of Type. You may also wish to periodically check but does it float and BOOOOOOOM!
All links potentially contain content which is not safe for work.
posted by One Thousand and One at 1:53 PM on March 9, 2010
Although the blog focuses mostly on typography, you may wish to try The Ministry of Type. You may also wish to periodically check but does it float and BOOOOOOOM!
All links potentially contain content which is not safe for work.
posted by One Thousand and One at 1:53 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: Mucha
Some of his posters, maybe. I am thinking of layouts with titles/logos, insets, captions, etc.
ffffound etc
Yeah I browse those sometimes. But browsing those will kill hours and hours.
posted by rahnefan at 2:01 PM on March 9, 2010
Some of his posters, maybe. I am thinking of layouts with titles/logos, insets, captions, etc.
ffffound etc
Yeah I browse those sometimes. But browsing those will kill hours and hours.
posted by rahnefan at 2:01 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: Please don't be stumped, Hive Mind! I have faith in ye.
posted by rahnefan at 1:39 PM on March 16, 2010
posted by rahnefan at 1:39 PM on March 16, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Otherwise, you might try something like this...
posted by circular at 11:28 AM on March 9, 2010