Heroic Icon Abstraction

This scene has been depicted in many artforms. Perhaps the most famous is the actual statue of Iwo Jima. In this poster, the men are portrayed as being strong and heroic; fighting for America.  The words "Now All Together" doesn't just apply to the soldiers in motion, but also to the men and women back home; offering support and working towards a common goal.

Meet Thor. The ultimate "Blue Collar Buff". With a mallet in hand - he's ready to work.

3 WPA Posters

John is not really dull - he may only need his eyes examined. [1936 or 1937] Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

The colors in this poster aren't flamboyant or over the top. They're pretty basic; almost bland - but they do complement each other. The colors' simplicity adds emphasis to the message the illustrator wants to portray. Sure, the colors aren't that much of a thrill, but this tactic makes the viewer focus even more on what is supposed to be implemented in the design. The illustration has a "Cut-Out" effect. Details are taken away and made to look somewhat "cartoonish". The message in the poster is aligned and illustrated much like an eye chart an optometrist would use in an eye examination. The puzzled look on the boy's face makes me feel inquisitive. What's on the paper and is his interpretation different from what the paper actually says?

Keep mum - the world has ears / Grigware. Edward T. Grigware. [between 1941 and 1943].

The color palette for this poster uses different values of blues and orange/yellows. Orange and blue are complementary colors. In the illustration itself, the artist took an approach much like the artist in the first poster. The detail is moreso in the woman's facial expression and also on the personified globe which happens to be listening in on the woman's conversation. The poster issues out some kind of caution to Americans - watch what you say because you never know if "the enemy" is listening.

Discover Puerto Rico U.S.A. : Where the Americas meet / Frank S. Nicholson. Frank S. Nicholson. [between 1936 and 1940].

The color palette used in this illustration are much like the colors in the first poster. However, their use is intended for more of a natural purpose; this causes viewers to immediately recognize and tie the browns, blues, and greens to the ground, water, and trees. The illustration has the "Cut Out" effect also. The scenery appears rich and exotic - something alot of people aren't used to seeing or being apart of. The question as to what lies beyond the houses on the cliff triggers that emotion of wanting to discover Puerto Rico and what it has to offer.