As I’ve been learning the importance of contrasting colors, spacing, and alignment in visual media to bring attention to your media, I’ve been asked to break down a piece of media to analyze the use of color, repetition, and alignment to dissect what makes it a good or bad piece. I found that my attention was drawn to an old movie poster from one of my favorite movies growing up as a kid in a movie theater. With The Labyrinth returning to select theaters this year, I thought it was a great time to analyze the artwork in the movie poster.
Attribution:
This is the movie poster for the cult classic 1986 Labyrinth movie. All rights and properties owned by Shout! Studios
Analysis:
Contrast:
As Tim Henson wanted to grab the attention of the viewers, he went with contrasting colors to use to attract and please the eye. Firstly, the title is bold and stands out but also compliments the selected colors. The design incorporates characters and places in the movie. The background is very important to catch the viewer’s eye to the white to help show the color changes as you go out from the center of the poster, Represented in green. The only problem with having such a limited color pallet is that all the details get drowned out. This could be intentional because I never truly looked to see all the different characters that are sounding the goblin king’s castle.
Repetition:
Tim Henson’s team uses repetition in their piece to create familiarity in the poster and consistency. It helps keep the viewers’ attention. The colors in the piece are repeated and reflected on their respective sides of the piece. As shown in green, it starts with a reddish orange flowing into darker colors.
Alignment:
The poster even though seems chaotic and cluttered surrounding the castle, of course, is intentional, it is all intentionally aligned to show the big star attached to the film. David Bowie is the centerpiece of the poster accentuated by Jennifer Connelly’s character. As shown in blue, the poster is structured like a pyramid directing the eye to the white ball that David Bowie is holding. The labyrinth behind him helps keep the borders of the poster and frame in David Bowie’s character.
Proximity:
Proximity is utilized to keep everything tight together and keep your eye moving through the poster. The proximity of all the different types of characters is very close, but the design helps flow as shown in green and brings your eyes out of the piece. I feel that my eyes naturally go up the poster as I’m looking at all the different art that is visually appealing.
Color:
As I mentioned in contrast, there is a very limited pallet, but it doesn’t take away from the piece. There is much highlighted in deep blues and light purples. The bottom of the poster, highlights Jeniffer Connelly’s dress and the misty haze that accompanies her. The use of these colors on the side helps give distinction to the castle right above her character and pointing at David Bowie. The color is used to help with the contrast, proximity, and alignment of the piece.
Conclusion:Overall, Tim Henson’s work has given me a better appreciation for making something that is unique and that grabs people’s attention yet flows together to make a unique piece. From the moment I saw the poster I was intrigued at what it had to offer.
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