How Graphic Designer Saul Bass Revolutionized the Movie Poster

Saul Bass helped define the visual culture of the 1950s—most notably through creating memorable movie posters that are still resonant today.

It might be the most memorable film poster of all time. Striking graphics, striking color contrast, and minimalism challenged everything we knew about movie marketing, making the Vertigo poster a pivotal moment in graphic design. For that, we can thank Saul Bass. 

He was a filmmaker, motion picture title sequence designer, and iconic logo creator—of Girl Scouts and Kleenex logo fame—yet his midcentury film poster designs would define his legacy. From a New York, Bauhaus-influenced education to working alongside the ranks of Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and Martin Scorsese, Bass boasts a 40-year oeuvre that contains films spanning from Saint Joan to The Shining

What earned Bass his acclaim, though, was his spirited way of distilling an entire story into one, singular image. He was known for saying, “I just want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares.” Well, we certaintly do: here, we spotlight some of his seminal works from the 1950s capturing the visually stunning intersection of cinema and design.

Anatomy of a Murder, 1959

This film pushed boundaries, and so did the art. While most film posters spotlight the stars, Bass puts the attention on the victim. His take on the 1959 courtroom drama draws parallels between the anatomy of the case and a human, symbolic of the myriad components: the characters, the legal system, ethics and morals. It’s both simple and complex—as Bass did so well. The marketing campaign comprises dozens of iterations of this double—or even triple—entendres on everything from envelopes to billboards, newspaper ads, and album covers. How many ways are there to examine this story? For Bass, plenty.

Love in the Afternoon, 1957  

Movie Poster Allied Artists

Is there symbolism in the large, black void of the curtain? Or how about the delicate drape closure? Interpretations aside, this artwork for the romantic comedy Love in the Afternoon captures the brilliance of Bass’s thinking and how a pared-down palette alone can revive the thrill of watching a movie. This poster also shines a light on his font skills—the kinetic-meets-constructivism typography is a Bass signature, and makes his posters instantly recognizable.

Vertigo, 1958 

Saul Bass Poster Archive

See the full story on Dwell.com: How Graphic Designer Saul Bass Revolutionized the Movie Poster
Related stories:

  • Dwell 24: The Best Emerging Designers of 2019
  • The Design Life: What Inspires This Year’s Dwell 24?
  • Dwell 24: Wendy Andreu

Similar Posts

  • Diamond in the Mountains: Minimalism Meets Nordic Simplicity in Central Norway

    There is something undeniably magenta about an abstract building with modern minimal design that draws you to it almost instantly. They feel like brilliant works of art; masterpieces that stand out from the crowd and light up a world dominate by simpler squares and rectangles. Nestled in the picturesque and majestic backdrop of Oppdal in […]

    You’re reading Diamond in the Mountains: Minimalism Meets Nordic Simplicity in Central Norway, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

  • Experience Living in a Tiny House while Exploring Atlanta’s Very Best

    The idea of living in a tiny house might feel claustrophobic for a few but for many of us it can be well and truly liberating. It teaches you how you can live happily and efficiently with much less and can do so without actually sacrificing a whole lot. This is why we love the […]

    You’re reading Experience Living in a Tiny House while Exploring Atlanta’s Very Best, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

  • Kahua Kuili Residence

    The Kahua Kuili residence is a modern interpretation of the classic Hawai’i summer camp. In keeping with the firm’s design philosophy, the warm yet spacious retreat was designed with longevity in mind. Kahua Kuili incorporates centuries-old indigenous design elements paired with contemporary attitudes to create a residence that will remain relevant for generations to come. Located within the dry portion of the Kona Coast at the base of the large cinder cone Pu’u Kuili, the property offers expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and Kua Bay as well as mountain views of Hualalai. Previously the site of a working ranch, the transition to residence became an opportunity to return the majority of the landscape to its natural state: a mix of lava and bunch grasses. Inspired by traditional Hawaiian architecture, the 5,590-square-foot residence is composed of multiple structures that simultaneously provide privacy through their scattered arrangement and community through the open spaces between them. The camp-like retreat’s focal point is the main hale (Hawaiian for house), which provides a central gathering place for family and friends. The main hale opens to ocean views and the central, protected courtyard, enabling activity to flow easily between indoor and outdoor space, including to the adjacent pool and tiki bar. The bar/lounge area spills over into the pool, complete with multiple lounge chairs and breathtaking ocean views. A barbecue/luau area allows for gatherings of family and friends who can picnic under the comfort and shade of a magnificent kiawe tree. Deep roof overhangs define the transition between inside and outside and offer shelter from sun and rain. Outdoor spaces link the separate structures—guest quarters, studio, wash house, garage—to one another. The use of simple, durable materials, such as board-formed concrete, western red cedar, large sliding doors, operable wood ventilation louvers, and rope lashing help reinforce the camp-like aesthetic. Western red cedar was selected for its resistance to termites and dry rot as well as for the beautiful way it patinas with age. Natural stone cowboy walls surrounding the property help create a sense of privacy from nearby houses. The interiors, by Marion Philpotts, were designed in a comfortable, contemporary aesthetic with bright colors and retro elements that tie into the modern theme of the structure. The expansive cedar-clad kitchen features a breakfast bar, dining table, and state-of-the-art appliances. Tall ceilings, large windows, and grand sliding doors that open to the courtyard contribute to the casual ease of the house. Intimate spaces, which include cozy reading nooks and relaxing sitting areas, are scattered throughout the home. Kahua Kuili is the quintessential destination for relaxation, where one can unwind comfortably and in style, all while enjoying the natural climate and landscape of Hawaii. Project team
    Architect: Walker Warner Architects
    Interior Designer: Philpotts Interiors
    Landscape: David Y. Tamura Associates
    Builder: Maryl Construction
    Photography: Matthew Millman

  • Christmas Porch Decorations: From Garlands and Wreaths to Lights and Signs

    No matter what the occasion is, nothing welcomes festive joy like a beautifully decorated home façade. It is the front lawn and porch that make the biggest impact when it comes to giving your home a festive makeover. Decorating the front porch for Christmas and the days leading up to it involves bright string lights, […]

    You’re reading Christmas Porch Decorations: From Garlands and Wreaths to Lights and Signs, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

  • Amazing Use of Yellow for Office Interior: Meeting Space in Madrid

    If there is one color that adds cheerful charm to the modern interior, then it is yellow at its sunny best. Of course, using yellow in a judicious manner is much harder than it sounds. But this innovative office space designed for a renowned Madrid-based Publishing Company showcases how yellow can be the ‘hero’ of […]

    You’re reading Amazing Use of Yellow for Office Interior: Meeting Space in Madrid, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.