We at PosterSpy love design. Not just movie poster design — design in general. And when we’re not reading blog posts and books about creative endeavours, we try at the very least to watch movies about them. This is why we’ve compiled this list of design documentaries that are both educational and entertaining. Read through and see if any of these strike your fancy!
Abstract: The Art of Design
Runtime: 14 episodes, ~45 minutes each
Where to stream: Netflix
In this Netflix Original, fourteen creatives from fourteen different spheres of design share the joys and difficulties of their work. From cars to sneakers, from theatre lighting to illustration, this series spotlights just how big and varied the world of design is.
Many of the names will be familiar to you: illustrator Christoph Niemann, design powerhouse Paula Scher, typeface master Jonathan Hoefler. Others, less so. Some of the interviews are pure creative spirit; others feel like well-meaning product placement. Yet every episode is extremely entertaining, informative, beautifully shot, and — best of all — inspiring.
Helvetica
Runtime: 80 minutes
Where to stream: Vimeo
Helvetica is part love letter to the titular typeface and part hate manifesto. The documentary talks about the ties of Helvetica to Swiss design, praises its sliced-off terminals, and discusses the power of negative space. Interviews with typographers are interspersed with shots of the typeface in the wild (yes, you might have known it is everywhere, but now you will see it for yourself).
Is Helvetica’s blandness to its benefit or its detriment? Is it the typeface of capitalism or socialism? Is it human, because it appeals to dilettantes, or inhuman, because it’s a favourite of big corporations? What starts as a spotlight of “the most neutral typeface” ends as a rumination on creativity.
At the very least, this film is worth seeing if only for this quote by the inimitable David Carson: “Just because something is legible doesn’t mean it communicates.”
Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight
Runtime: 76 minutes
Where to stream: YouTube
As you may have guessed from the title, Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight examines the life and legacy of design superstar Milton Glaser (he of I Love NY fame). The brief documentary does a great job of showcasing Glaser’s work and, more importantly, capturing his playfulness, intelligence and creative spirit.
In terms of visuals and editing, the movie takes a “less is more” approach and has a lot less flair than some of the other entries on the list. However, it can be argued that this brings the force of Glaser’s personality and the vibrancy of his output into even sharper focus.
Runtime: 82 minutes
Where to stream: Amazon
You may not know who Hipgnosis are, but you definitely know their work: the design collective is responsible for a multitude of memorable 1960s and 1970s album covers, in particular those of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. The studio was headed by Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell, two best friends who were complete opposites in their approach to design. The documentary explores the duo’s complicated relationship, incredible legacy, and differing creative philosophies.
Director Anton Corbijn (Control) is a trusted insider within the music industry, so his guest subjects include living legends like Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant and Paul McCartney. The interviews paint a portrait of a bygone era that combined excess with creative freedom. The film emphasises the vibrancy of old album covers by making them the only pops of colour in an otherwise black-and-white film.
Runtime: 82 minutes
Where to stream: Amazon
We’ve saved the best for last! This documentary charts the history of the film poster — from the early days, when it was the primary mode of advertising, to its heyday, when designers Roger Castel and Richard Amsel were veritable superstars, to today. The movie raises many questions plaguing the modern poster community. Did gig posters reintroduce illustration into posters? Are indie studios more accepting of high-concept art? Do people really think illustrated posters are for animated features only? Gallery curators, artists, marketing specialists, collectors and film directors all weigh in on these matters. The people interviewed include Tom Whazlen, Daniel Danger and Akiko Stehrenberger — a true who’s who of the modern poster world.
There are also interesting trivia tidbits scattered throughout, like the fact that Charles Bronson would not approve of an artistic likeness unless one particular vein was bulging out of his bicep.
All in all, a must-see for all PosterSpy members!
