Welcome to this week’s blog post! Have you ever dreamt of making something incredible? We believe in the power of ambition, and what better way to motivate yourself than taking in some beautiful poster designs from our Poster Awards competition? Here we bring you a selection of work from both established entries and new contributions that will inspire you to chase after your dreams in 2023 and beyond. Let’s get started!
Taking a Stand: Woman Life Freedom Movement
It’s a complex and harsh reality, but the situation for women in the Islamic Republic of Iran is difficult to ignore. For more than 43 years, women in Iran have suffered the effects of a regime that has denied them their fundamental rights. While women in other parts of the world have the freedom to work, receive education, and live independently without fear of persecution, those in Iran continue to live in oppression. In 2022, the “Woman Life Freedom” movement took a stand against this injustice.
With this in mind, designer Rene V. Steiner has created a poster to draw attention to the issue. Titled “Woman.Life.Freedom” (above, left), this poster from our 2024 Poster Awards competition packs a compelling message about the current human rights crisis women face in the country. It’s also a stark reminder of the 1979 Iranian Revolution that began a decades-long struggle against oppressive Islamic fundamentalism.
The current movement is inspired by Persian poet Zarrin-Taj, also known by her nickname Táhirih or Qurratu’l Ayn, the first Iranian woman to remove her hijab in public as an act of protest. In the mid-nineteenth century, Tahirih removed her veil among a gathering of men. She reportedly said, “You can kill me now, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women” before they ended her life. One hundred fifty years later, the women of Iran follow in Tahirih’s footsteps, removing their hijabs and demanding full human rights. The stark red background with hands lifting a veil of fabric upwards communicates the reality Iranian women face in their fight for freedom. Bold letters reading “WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM” are colored blue, white, and green, amplifying these women’s voices around the globe.
Australia’s New Base for Business
Glen Kynnersky and Nathan Hotten of Australia’s brand agency Hoyne are the designers behind “BASE” (above, right), a 2023 Silver-winning poster for Made Property Group’s “Base Alexandria” project, a collection of designer industrial warehouses ideally located moments from Sydney’s WestConnex entrance. The Base is a new starting point for business with a dynamic group of high-quality units, ample natural light and ventilation, and even a green area. These incredibly flexible warehouses can be combined or outfitted to create the ideal workshop or workspace. These spaces are suitable for all types of businesses, from start-ups to established companies, and range in size from approximately 200 to 725 square feet.
To set the tone for the brand, Hoyne’s team selected bold block sans serif characters for the logotype to represent the industrial nature of Base Alexandria. At the same time, the background image is a collection of industrial shapes designed to capture the flexible spirit of Made Property’s design with various shades of blue and white to maintain the industrial feel. The team successfully combined traditional industrial designs with modern shapes and shades to give the poster a sense of dynamism. The result is a sophisticated and creative design that perfectly encapsulates what Base Alexandria stands for: flexibility, innovation, and collaboration.
