When scouring the design field, searching for stand-out artistic expression and fluid composition, one area that should always catch the eye, is poster design. Moreover, concert poster design, which has produced some truly revolutionary artists and works for generations now, should be paid particular attention to. Fluidity of design is especially key in poster layouts, as there is a finite space, and numerous points to capture and pass along within these confines.
The designer must encapsulate not only the band’s attitude and tone with the work, but also impart the feel of the album or tour that the poster is announcing. And speaking of announcements, the posters must seamlessly incorporate the typography that tells the reader the names, dates, and places of import. All the while maintaining the impact of the piece, and not overworking or overfilling the area and detracting from it’s overall arrangement.
Further Reading on SmashingMag:
- 50 Beautiful Movie Posters
- The Legacy Of Polish Poster Design
- Breathtaking Typographic Posters
- 51 Powerful Propaganda Posters And The People Behind
So many shining examples of this exist in the art community. We present 60 inspiring concert posters from 10 amazing artists. The links at the bottom will take you to sites dedicated to showcasing other wonderful works from the concert poster genre.
Emek
Emek is an awe-inspiring artist with a natural depth and vibrance to his work. From stunningly styled typography to intricately carved creative designs, Emek’s work shines out among his peers, and was an easy addition to this inspiring bunch.
Mike Klay
Mike Klay is a stellar stand-out in the field of concert poster design. His simplicity of style and nature packs so much of the message in such compact creations, using clean, crisp vectors to achieve his task without using all of the available space. Saying so much with so little, is an awesome feat, and Mike Klay achieves this with ease.
Jim Phillips
Jim Phillips’ singular voice and untethered style give his work such a varied and boundless feel that it’s easy to see why his work has spanned generations, standing firmly against the tests of time.
Rex Ray
Rex Ray’s eclectic work in concert poster design combines a retro feel with a piercing, modern attitude that explodes from within his work and captures the attention while tickling the imagination. Rex Ray’s stimulating style can not, and should not be ignored.
Jermaine Rogers
Jermaine Rogers is one of those raw expressive artists whose work makes you feel like an addict. It seeps into your skin and excites your senses with it’s bite and it’s dark beauty leaving you longing for more. With his sharp and edgy style, Jermaine Rogers’ work will be inspiring artists for years to come.
Frank Kozik
Frank Kozik stylishly blends a punk rock attitude with intense colors and textures to stamp an imaginative mark on the design community. His no-holds-barred and uncompromising approach to his work, make it easy to see why this creative giant has been credited with reviving this lost artform.
Chris Shaw
Some artists’ work has an aura about it, that creates a tone which radiates from the piece and infects the environment around it. There are not many artists with a voice this vibrant and alive, but Chris Shaw is one of them, and a concert poster list would not be complete without giving this titan of artistic style and complex composition a nod.
Nel ‘Jagmo’ Jacobson
Some artist’s style speaks volumes with the depths of their designs, and the intricate weaving of different elements throughout their work. Nel Jacobson, known also as Jagmo, is the type of artist that can accomplish these amazing feats with ease and simplicity. This inspiring artist consistently uses minimalistic design elements, and then fills the space brilliantly incorporating massive typography with balance and skill.
Craig Howell
For nearly a decade, Craig Howell, has led a charge through the concert poster design community leaving a vibrant and explosive mark in his path. His highly original work has kept his name circulating throughout the industry, and has kept this talented artist in popular demand. With an unmatched voice, and unparalleled vision, this behemoth of beauty is destined to be a classic in the field.
James Rheem Davis
As far as insipiration goes, the work of James Rheem Davis is that rare breed of designer that adeptly captures the very essence of beauty in the dark and macabre. Flawlessly conveying the desired message with near nightmarish representations of a twisted take on the world around. With morbid and melancholy tones to match the images, Davis’ posters have a haunting effect on the viewer.
Last Click
Again, with Chris Shaw’s amazing talents having inspired so many artists in the field, we felt the last click should go to him.
