Compose two styles

Rather than blending two styles into a middle, this assigns them roles: one carries the structure, the other appears as an accent. Where the two fight, it says so before you start.

How to divide the work

Composition
Follow Constructivism: Collide photography and type along a diagonal spine
Type
Set in Constructivism's manner (Heavy condensed type in capitals), and let OSPAAAL Poster's lettering (Arrange three languages around one image without shrinking any of them.) appear only where you want the eye to catch.
Material
Ground in Constructivism's material (Coarse halftones, cut-out photos, three colors only); bring in exactly one thing from OSPAAAL Poster (Few screen colors, thin paper, folded flat enough to travel by post.).
Colour
Build on #e8ddc7, #d8251d, #11100e and admit one accent from #f2cf37, #de3b31, #243a66.

Where they fight

These two are already listed as related, so the join should come easily.

Caution

  • Constructivism Carries strong propaganda associations. Check the ethics of context and message.
  • OSPAAAL Poster Do not consume revolutionary aesthetics as decoration, and name whose solidarity with which movement appeared in which medium. Stacking too many symbols keeps the meaning from reaching a distant reader at a glance.

Image prompt

An original image that takes its structure from Constructivism (Style, 1910s–1930s) and its accent from OSPAAAL Poster (Style, 1966–1990s). Structural cues: Red, black and white; Diagonal axis; Photomontage; Imperative lettering. Accent cues, used sparingly: Blazing flat color; Multiple languages; Symbolic iconography; International solidarity. Composition: Collide photography and type along a diagonal spine. Type and lettering: Heavy condensed type in capitals. Let one material quality come from the second style: Few screen colors, thin paper, folded flat enough to travel by post.. Mood: Rebellion, Exhilaration, Trust. Color: build on #e8ddc7, #d8251d, #11100e with a single accent drawn from #f2cf37, #de3b31, #243a66. Constraints: do not imitate, reference or name any specific artist, studio, brand, character or copyrighted work. Produce an original composition in the general period languages described above.

Related entries

  • Constructivism 1910s–1930s / Style / Avant-garde

    Turns a message into motion with diagonals and hard contrast.

  • OSPAAAL Poster 1966–1990s / Style / Printmaking and Social Movements

    Carries transnational solidarity with anti-colonial liberation movements through flat color, photography, iconography and short multilingual text.

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