Illustrator/ Vector Portraits & Poster
Vector Art Portrait Making & Poster Design Using Adobe Illustrator!
Tutorial from 4/2/25 – in class:
We will bring together the applications of a vector art, portrait-making, composition, image manipulation, typography & collaboration
Assignment #3 – Vector Portrait & Poster Design
Project Title: “New Voices” – Fictional Museum Exhibition Poster
Software: Adobe Illustrator (with optional Photoshop integration)
Deliverables: 1 Self-Portrait Vector Illustration + 2 Poster Layouts (Portrait & Landscape)
Objective:
This project explores how artists use self-portraiture, visual storytelling, and cultural/historical references to create powerful graphic design works. You will create a fictional museum exhibition poster using your own vector-based self-portrait as the central artwork.
We will focus on the design principles of composition, style emulation, vector illustration, color theory, type & image integration, and poster design layout.
Step 1: Concept + Style Research
You will select one or more historical or contemporary art/design movements to draw inspiration from. Your self-portrait should clearly reflect the visual style, techniques, and spirit of the movement(s) you choose.
Choose from (or propose your own):
• Pop Art (Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein)
• Surrealism (Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo)
• Mexican Muralism (Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros)
• Afro-Futurism (Sun Ra, Octavia Butler, Wangechi Mutu)
• Graffiti & Street Art (Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lady Pink)
• Fauvism (Henri Matisse, André Derain)
• Anime / Manga (Osamu Tezuka, CLAMP, Studio Ghibli)
• African Masks & Tribal Art (Igbo, Yoruba, and Baule traditions)
• Political Poster Art (Shepard Fairey, Emory Douglas)
• Video Game Aesthetics (8-bit/16-bit, cyberpunk, open-world concept art)
• OR a Hybrid / Original Mashup of Two or More Styles
Your research should include at least 4–6 references: artworks, posters, or artists from your chosen style. Save these to a folder titled “Self-Portrait-Poster-Project.”
Step 2: Vector Self-Portrait Creation (in Illustrator)
Using your reference images and personal style, draw a self-portrait entirely in vector using Adobe Illustrator. You may trace from a photo using the pen tool or draw freehand with the pencil/brush tools.
This portrait is the feature artwork of your poster – it should reflect YOU through the lens of the movement you’ve chosen.
Optional: Once your vector self-portrait is complete, you may bring it into Photoshop for added textures, lighting, collaging, blending, or digital effects.
Step 3: Poster Design Composition
Create two posters (same content, different orientation):
1. Portrait format (vertical)
2. Landscape format (horizontal)
Suggested size: 11 x 17 inches (or slightly smaller)
Your design must incorporate:
• The vector self-portrait as the main artwork
• All required poster text (see below)
• Typography and layout that fit the aesthetic of your chosen movement
• A clear visual connection to a museum-quality exhibition poster
Required Text for Poster Design
New Voices Exhibit
April 15th – May 30th 2025
Opening Reception, April 20th 7PM–9PM
https://www.seattleartmuseum.org
(Include the SAM logo)You may add more creative text (quotes, artist statement snippets, fake curator’s name, etc.), but the above must remain intact.
Poster Design Inspiration / References
Here are some artists, designers, and posters to study:
• Barbara Kruger – Bold type + image integration
• Shepard Fairey – Political poster design
• Paula Scher (Pentagram) – Museum and cultural poster layouts
• Tadanori Yokoo – Surrealism meets pop and psychedelic styles
• Swiss Modernist Posters – Josef Müller-Brockmann, Armin Hofmann
• Contemporary Museum Posters – Check out MoMA, The Whitney, The Design Museum (London), or past campaigns from the Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
Design and Technical Considerations
• Pay attention to hierarchy, alignment, balance, and typographic contrast
• Use CMYK color mode for print output
• Illustrator vector file (.AI) and exported poster PDFs must be saved
• File naming: Lastname_Firstname_SelfPortraitPoster.ai / .pdf
Optional Bonus Challenges
• Create an animated GIF version of your poster using Photoshop
• Add augmented reality elements (QR code that links to your process video or artist statement)
• Create mockups: simulate your poster on a museum wall, city street, or bus stop ads.
Submission guidelines:
When both parts of the assignment have been completed please save them as an .ai (adobe illustrator) .JPG file and as a PDF then add them to our class google drive shared folder
*Please make sure to name your files with your name – an Example is this: R_Seslow_project3.JPG
R_Seslow_project3.ai
