By Dan Augustine,VP, Creative Services
“Order. Design. Tension. Balance. Light. And harmony.”
– Stephen Sondheim, “Sunday in the Park with George,” 1987
We’re proud supporters of the performing arts (not exactly saying all that much considering most ad agencies are chock-full of self-proclaimed recovering choir dorks and theater nerds). As agency of record for the United Performing Arts Fund, we’re fortunate to be able to soft-shoe our way through Milwaukee’s vibrant performing arts scene on an annual basis, creating compelling visuals and campaign messaging for their fundraising events. Among the most coveted assignments is the annual Ride for the Artsâa family-friendly bike race that takes riders through multiple downtown communities and provides a rare opportunity to ride over the Hoan Bridge.
Keep it simple
We wanted this year’s poster to be simple, whimsical, and dynamicâa nod to the visuals of old French racing posters, with a refreshed, vibrant color palette and flat graphic styling. The only mandate from UPAF was for the poster to depict the iconic Hoan bridge somewhere in the design.
No digital brushes or filters were used in the execution. Instead, we employed lo-fi techniques to create textures (some of the more natural elements came from flicking ink off an old toothbrush).
Childrenâs book meets outdoor art
Inspiration came from two unlikely sources: a renowned children’s book illustrator, and a notable outdoor artist and enthusiast.
Ed Emberley rose to fame between 1960 and 1980, publishing more than 50 books for children and adults alike on the subject of illustration. His âBig Colorâ books are legendary and an Ed Emberly book makes an ideal gift for the young blossoming artist in your life. Emberley inspired generations, teaching them to draw through simple step-by-step instructions; all based on the simple premise that if you can draw a line, you can draw anything. His style helped inform the shape and position of the rider in the foreground.
If you’ve ever strolled through a nature center gift shop, you’ve undoubtedly seen Charlie Harper’s work. He described his style as “minimalistic realism,” and his geometric depictions of the great outdoors can be seen on everything from umbrellas to pillows, socks, and ceramic coasters. On the UPAF poster, his techniques were used to create the environment with things like leaves executed as simple ellipticals.
Bringing it together
Their styles are reflected in the final piece: an amalgamation of scenes from Milwaukee’s breathtaking lakefront. The foreground is a depiction of Veterans Park and its canopy of old oaks and willows. Milwaukee’s iconic Pierhead Lighthouse as seen from the Hank Aaron State Trail sits on the horizon all set against beautiful Lake Michigan.
Indeed, Sondheim said it best:
People strolling through the trees, of a small suburban park…On an ordinary Sunday…Sunday.
