Monsters INC.
Reinterpretation Poster 11x17
Adobe Illustrator
April 2021
To craft this poster, I combined elements of a classic design style with the vibrant and imaginative world of Monsters Inc. Inspired by the legendary designer Saul Bass, I drew heavily upon his signature use of bold, simplified shapes and his approach to minimalism, which allows for a visually striking composition while maintaining clarity and focus. Saul Bass was a master of storytelling through design, often using form and color to communicate complex ideas in a straightforward and engaging way. For my interpretation, I chose the iconic door vault scene from Monsters, Inc. as the central visual element. This scene, with its towering rows of colorful doors, provided a perfect opportunity to experiment with geometric shapes and bold visuals while capturing the essence of the movie’s magical and chaotic energy. The doors became the centerpiece of the composition, tying together the structured simplicity of Bass’s aesthetic with the playful and approachable tone of the Pixar film. Using Bass’s timeless approach as a foundation, I designed a layout that balances simplicity with storytelling, creating a piece that evokes both nostalgia for Bass’s art and the dynamic energy of the animated universe.
To further immerse the design in Bass’s aesthetic, I incorporated a crumpled paper texture across the poster. This tactile detail not only adds a sense of depth but also imbues the design with a handmade quality, echoing the warmth and human touch often present in Bass’s work. The texture creates a layer of imperfection that contrasts beautifully with the otherwise clean and precise geometric forms of the doors.
For the doors, I pulled colors directly from the Monsters, Inc. universe, using shades associated with key characters like Sulley, Mike, and Boo. These color choices bring a subtle narrative to the design, giving viewers a hint of the movie’s heartwarming story. While the poster remains simple and bold in its execution, the vibrant palette brings a whimsical touch that reflects the charm of the Monsters Inc. world.
At the base of the composition, the silhouettes of Mike, Sulley, and Boo stand out against the dark, shadowed ground, serving as an anchor for the viewer’s eye. These characters are depicted in motion, emphasizing the playful and adventurous tone of the story while creating a sense of urgency and movement.
Above them, the colorful doors vary in size and placement, mimicking the towering, chaotic structure of the door vault scene. This arrangement gives the illusion of depth and creates a dynamic interplay of forms reminiscent of the exhilarating chase sequence in the film.
The bold typography of the title, “Monsters Inc.,” placed prominently at the bottom of the design, pays direct homage to Disney and Pixar’s style, grounding the composition and ensuring its readability. Together, these elements form a cohesive and engaging poster that celebrates the legacy of Saul Bass while capturing the essence of Pixar’s beloved film.