I started my creative brainstorming by creating a word map and then thumbnail sketches. This helped me to start identifying the most important content in the poster redesign and then experiment with what I wanted to be my vocal point, art elements, and eye flow to be.

This was my initial poster mockup design that I received critique feedback on. Even though I was not told to scratch this design, I felt that it was somewhat cheesy, busy, and not a representation of my best work. I knew I wanted to do something but different but wasn't sure what exactly what that something different would be!

That was... until inspiration struck in a very physical form! I was cleaning out storage boxes this week when I found this scroll that an international student gave me as a gift last year. The international student was from an Asian country (I unfortunately can't remember which one!) but as soon as I saw this scroll it was the inspiration I needed for this Japanese poster redesign. I started doing color theory research on Japanese culture and discovered that red is associated with celebration, power, and success especially when paired with with. I also learned that red is often used on decorations and worn at celebratory events which was perfect color connotation for designing for a Japanese festival! All of this was the confirmation I needed to run with the new design idea that the finding the scroll had inspired!

This is the final poster that I designed for the Tucson Japanese Festival. I am proud of the final product because I think it would catch the eye of any potential viewer and they would immediately be able to identify it was a Japanese event and that it was a festival. It is fun to look back and see how much it developed from the beginning design stages!