Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on
Learn what poster design is and how to work as a poster designer. Discover the necessary skills, qualifications, types of employment, and salary.
Poster designers design and print artistic posters for musicians, concert promoters, bands, brewery owners, and others looking for ways to share information with customers.
A poster designer can also work for graphic design firms or government agencies under different titles like production artist, graphic artist, and illustrator.
A career in poster design involves skills that overlap with sales, marketing, art, and publishing. In this role, you must be organized, creative, and able to attract your target audience.
What do poster designers do?
Poster designers’s day-to-day work may include:
Meeting with clients to learn details of upcoming events
Creating artwork to meet the needs of clients
Advertising their art through social media
Coordinating screen printing
Shipping printed posters to clients sometimes within tight deadlines
Creating digital versions for online advertising
Pitching partnerships with local festivals, bands, breweries, concert promoters, and more
History of poster design
In the mid-19th century, executives in the music and entertainment industry commissioned artists to produce eye-catching posters to advertise upcoming events. They would print the posters using the newly invented three-tone lithographic process and use glue to hang them in public spaces like walls throughout cities.
Aspiring poster designers may be familiar with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and his famous work advertising the Moulin Rouge in the late 1800s. With time, this art nouveau poster design style transitioned to art deco, and later, with the advent of American rock and roll, pop, and psychedelic art.
Is poster design the same as graphic design?
Poster design is a type of graphic design. Poster artists utilize graphic design and usually have more flexibility and freedom beyond traditional marketing methods. The current focus on digital advertising offers opportunities for interactivity and dynamic designs that could transform poster art in new ways.
Here are some similarities between poster design and graphic design:
1. Both graphic and poster artists must consider the goal in their design.
2. Designs must connect with the target audience.
3. Colors, images, font, and format must echo the client’s brand.
4. Graphic design best practices, such as visual hierarchy, high-resolution images, and proper alignment, can also ensure pleasing aesthetics.
Read more: Graphic Artist vs. Graphic Designer: Understanding the Difference
Iconic poster designs
During World War II, the government commissioned artists to make propaganda posters like the famous Rosie the Riveter. In the 1960s, psychedelic rock bands like The Grateful Dead employed artists to share their vibe with music lovers with some unforgettable posters. In the 1980s, Neon Noir and Neo-Art Deco styles took over poster design.
Essential skills for a poster designer
To work as a poster designer, you’ll need technical and creative skills to be successful. Many of the technical skills are compatible with graphic design.
Typography
Font styles are crucial elements of poster design. When designing a poster, some best practices include using complementary serif and sans serif fonts with the exception of the title, which can be a creative font. You can find examples with an internet search and on Canva and Adobe InDesign.
The font choices should be balanced, eye-pleasing, and easy to read. Canva offers templates with set typography that you may use for your work.
Color
A color wheel is a helpful tool that helps poster designers choose colors to create a focal point. The four color schemes are:
Monochromatic: Shades of a single color
Analogous: Colors combinations that are next to each other on the color wheel
Complementary: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel
Split complementary: Equidistant hues on the color wheel
Visual hierarchy
The arrangement of the elements arrangement for poster presentation is known as the hierarchy. Everything from negative space and font spacing to color and contrast helps a poster be appealing to the viewer.
Creative flair
Poster designers apply different styles and designs through inspiration from past work or new ideas. As a poster designer, you’ll need to be creative since clients may want to see a few concepts before moving forward with a poster.
Mastery of different artistic media
A poster designer may work with markers, paint, paper, canvas, or computer software tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva to design. Whichever medium you choose, you’ll need to be able to produce the client’s designs.
Here are some common graphic design tools:
Procreate
Adobe Express
Canva
Figma
Understanding
While poster design differs from graphic design, good poster artists incorporate graphic design principles. This includes understanding color palettes, typography and font pairing, and balancing images, copy, and white space on the poster. While the music industry often leans toward nontraditional art, conveying a message to a target audience is still important.
Knowledge of screen printing
Professional poster designers often work with digital printing companies to make copies of posters for clients. However, music posters use screen printing technology to reproduce them. Understanding how it works (including the kinds of paper and ink used) will make it easier to work effectively within deadlines.
Ability to collaborate
Poster designers tend to work alone during the creation process. However, you’ll also need to network with prospective clients, collaborate with musicians, and connect with concert promoters. You need to communicate your visions clearly, schedule meetings, and sometimes change directions according to the client’s needs.
Ability to work independently
Most professional poster designers are often self-employed. You’ll be responsible for producing artwork and marketing your skills. It’s essential to double-check your work and learn new techniques to keep your art within the trends. You’ll need to quote a price for your time, invoice clients, and maintain financial records for tax purposes. Strong organizational skills and discipline will help keep you on track.
Qualifications needed to become a poster designer
Unlike graphic designers at publishing or marketing companies, poster designers typically work independently and don’t need a formal degree to break into the industry.
Instead, the qualifications to become a poster artist follow an artist’s career path. Poster designers typically build a branding recognition and fan base, pitch work to artists or concert promoters, and gain more prominent clients that pay more over time.
Having an active social media account and website to display your portfolio may be a good idea. Including a mood board in your portfolio can also show cohesiveness with fonts, images, patterns, textures, and color. Portfolios are a great way to showcase your artwork to future employers.
What jobs are available?
Many jobs involve creating posters for specific events in the music and entertainment industry. It can be a single assignment or a series, based on your portfolio, expertise, and partnership with your client. You can find some jobs with marketing graphic design firms, advertising agencies, and in the government. Other jobs may include designs for:
Events held at independent breweries
Music festival announcements
Record store events
School and sports posters and banners
How much do poster designers make?
Poster designers in the US earn an average base salary of $42,340 per year, according to Glassdoor [1].
As you gain experience and connections within the industry, you may work with musicians and promoters with larger budgets and bigger exposure. This will allow you to earn more over time.
Career development opportunities
To begin a career as a poster designer, you’ll need to be comfortable with the basic tools and demands within the industry you’re working. An online course can help you practice and hone art skills as you build a portfolio. Coursera Project Network offers a guided course on Designing a Music Festival Poster on Adobe Illustrator that can get you started.
Get started
To work as a poster designer, you’ll need graphic design skills to help companies convey their message to target audiences. Get started with the Graphic Design Specialization course offered by the California Institute of the Arts, a beginner program that you can typically complete in six months. Or consider the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course, which exposes you to the basic principles of graphic design, and learn techniques for designing posters.
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Computer science and engineering is a diverse field that encompasses the study of computer systems, software development, and the application of engineering principles to the design and development of computer hardware and software. It involves a deep understanding of algorithms, data structures, programming languages, and the theoretical foundations of computing. Additionally, computer science and engineering play a crucial role in the advancement of technology, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity.
Design and Product
Design and product development are essential components of creating innovative and user-friendly products. This field involves the application of design principles, user experience (UX) design, and product management to develop products that meet the needs and preferences of users. It also encompasses the use of design thinking, prototyping, and iterative development processes to create successful products that resonate with consumers.
Poster Designers
Poster designers play a vital role in creating artistic and informative posters for various purposes, including advertising events, promoting music, and conveying messages to target audiences. They require a combination of technical and creative skills, including proficiency in typography, color theory, visual hierarchy, and mastery of artistic media. Poster designers often work independently and may collaborate with clients, musicians, and concert promoters to create compelling visual content.
What Do Poster Designers Do?
Poster designers are responsible for creating artistic posters for a wide range of clients, including musicians, concert promoters, bands, and brewery owners. Their day-to-day activities may include meeting with clients to understand event details, creating artwork, advertising their art through social media, coordinating screen printing, and shipping printed posters to clients. They also need to be organized, creative, and able to attract their target audience.
History of Poster Design
The history of poster design dates back to the mid-19th century when artists were commissioned to produce eye-catching posters to advertise upcoming events in the music and entertainment industry. Over time, poster design styles transitioned from art nouveau to art deco, and later, with the advent of American rock and roll, pop, and psychedelic art.
Is Poster Design the Same as Graphic Design?
Poster design is a type of graphic design that offers more flexibility and freedom beyond traditional marketing methods. Both graphic and poster artists must consider the goal in their design, connect with the target audience, and ensure that colors, images, font, and format echo the client’s brand. Poster design incorporates graphic design principles and offers opportunities for interactivity and dynamic designs in digital advertising.
Essential Skills for a Poster Designer
To work as a poster designer, one needs technical and creative skills, including proficiency in typography, color theory, visual hierarchy, mastery of artistic media, understanding of screen printing, ability to collaborate, and work independently. While formal qualifications are not always necessary, building a strong portfolio and active social media presence can be beneficial for aspiring poster designers.
Jobs and Salary
Poster designers can find job opportunities in the music and entertainment industry, marketing graphic design firms, advertising agencies, and government agencies. The average base salary for poster designers in the US is $42,340 per year, with potential for higher earnings as they gain experience and work with clients with larger budgets and bigger exposure.
Career Development Opportunities
Aspiring poster designers can enhance their skills and knowledge through online courses, such as the Designing a Music Festival Poster on Adobe Illustrator offered by Coursera Project Network. Additionally, programs like the Graphic Design Specialization course and the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course can provide a solid foundation for individuals looking to pursue a career in poster design.
In conclusion, poster design is a dynamic and creative field that requires a combination of technical expertise and artistic flair. Aspiring poster designers can explore various opportunities to develop their skills and build a successful career in this exciting industry.
