Challenge

Finding a visual entry point into a sensitive story

The poster needed to introduce the film and communicate its emotional tension with care. The subject called for a considered approach to imagery and tone, giving audiences a sense of the story without overwhelming it.

The original commission also extended into the premiere experience, requiring supporting materials that connected the film’s promotion with an introduction to its creator.

Approach

Establishing the original direction

For the 2019 poster, I used illustration to explore separation and displacement. Symbolic elements introduced the film’s themes and established a visual narrative around its title.

I extended that direction into project cards featuring the filmmaker’s headshot. These introduced Melissa to attendees and provided a takeaway that connected her with the work being screened.

Revisiting the central idea

Returning to the poster in 2024, I reconsidered how much visual information the concept needed.

The title itself carried the central theme. I removed the illustrative elements and developed a composition led entirely by typography, making Separados the focal point.

That decision shifted the creative emphasis toward the word and its presentation. The redesign explored how a more concentrated visual approach could hold the tension of the story while giving the title room to carry its meaning.