What is your taste?
My taste cannot be described by one particular style or aesthetic. As I explore more of the world and myself, it keeps evolving. However, certain common elements always attracted me. Growing up in a vibrant and culturally diverse country such as India, I love the celebration of color and the inclusion of diverse styles. I am inspired by the lively festivities we celebrate in India, the intricately designed traditional clothes, the rural streets, the cityscapes, and the people.
As a film lover, I am inspired by styles from all around the world and from many different periods. The classic set design of the Golden age of Hollywood, the nightmarish sound and light work of 70s European Horror, the surreal magic of Studio Ghibli films, the maximalist design of 80s VHS, the toy-box sets of Wes Anderson movies, and even the modern emotive animation of Pixar classics have all inspired my design work. As a music lover, my taste is defined by the Bollywood music I grew up listening to, the classic records my parents always hummed, the global pop explosion of the late 2000s to mid-2010s, the picture-perfect and polished style of the Hallyu wave, and so on. Even though my taste isn't well defined yet, I see it as an opportunity to be open and neutral to anything and everything new.
Movie Poster Analysis - Rosemary's Baby
This is one of my all-time favorite movie posters. It’s simple yet so effective and memorable. The cleverly layered composition and restrained color palette help emphasize the horrifying mood of the film very well. The images give you a hint of the dark and lonely ride you’re in for without overflowing with detail.
Grid System
The grid system of the poster is vertically and horizontally symmetrical. The titular baby’s cradle is right at the center of the poster (as it is the focus point of the movie). An enlarged close-up profile of Rosemary’s face is right behind. The width of the face almost matches that of the text at the bottom. And the height of the face from the center almost matches the height of the white patch at the bottom. The poster is also divided equally into a moody green sky and a pitch black silhouette.
Hierarchy
The hierarchical arrangement of elements in this poster is genius. The first thing you notice right when you look at it is the big face profile - Rosemary. And the very next thing you notice is the cradle in front of it - Her baby. So the design spells out the title for you.
Typography
The poster does not use any text on the images (although some variations do). All the text is at the bottom of the screen and does not draw your attention right away. The lead star’s name and the title are in Helvetica Bold and the rest of the text is in Helvetica Thin. The ‘m’ in Rosemary and the second ‘b’ in Baby are linked to maybe symbolize the inseparable bond between the mother and her child.
Color System
The poster has a very restrained, dark and moody color palette. The green sky is used to emphasize the evil atmosphere of the movie. Mia Farrow’s blank stare is faded in the same color. The baby and the mountain silhouette are in black to contrast against the sky and Rosemary’s face. The same black is used for the text at the bottom.
Use of Space
The design isn’t overstuffed with elements. The use of the big plain green patch for the sky shows Rosemary staring into nothingness. The plain black mountain silhouette gives you the feeling of being stranded just as Rosemary feels in the movie. And the white patch at the bottom subtly highlights the text without ruining the mood of the poster.
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