This project explores how the chaotic and expressive style of Postmodernism can be transformed into a cohesive visual system. Through stationery and editorial applications, the project applies the art movement's layered compositions, experimental typography, and bold aesthetics across multiple design pieces.
postmodern stationery
Services:
roles:
PUBLICATION DESIGN
BRANDING
STATIONERY
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CREATIVE STRATEGIST
ART DIRECTOR
Postmodernism was a mid-to-late 20th-century movement that was usually known for breaking the rules of modernism, they thrived on daring themselves to try new things. Some characteristics of Postmodernism range from random layering, collaging, distorting typography, breaking the grid, and overall, it was all very complex and chaotic.
BACKGROUND
Many stationery and publication formats, including brochures and U.S. Postal stamps, rely on strict grids and highly structured layouts. The challenge was to preserve the layered, expressive, and unpredictable qualities of Postmodernism while designing within these predetermined constraints.
CHALLENGE
This project takes on a dare as well: how can something as chaotic as Postmodernism be made to work within strict guidelines? Is it possible to take a movement known for breaking the rules and create a cohesive system out of it across multiple applications? This project aims to answer those questions by creating a visual system that balances experimentation with structure and consistency.
OBJECTIVE
A strong cohesive visual system was created that was able to work across multiple stationery like envelopes, stamps, information cards and brochures. A specialized cancellation mark to use on envelops was also created along with this collection.
Three famous Postmodernist artists were chosen and their most well known designs were used as the images for different postage stamps. The Postmodern artists are April Greiman, Katherine Mccoy and Nancy Skolos. Before purchasing the whole set of stamps, and other stationery, customers can read about each artist and see their works through beautifully designed brochures.