The other day, regular reader/unofficial mayor of Baltimore Scott Carberry posted a link in my comments section to some amazing work. It was to a poster for the 85th Oscar Awards. And the artwork blew me away. I found out that it was the work of Olly Moss. After a little digging, I discovered that Moss has created a LOT of movie poster art that I’ve seen and admired through the years, but didn’t realize he was responsible. I’m a designer for a living, and I can tell you that the quality that Olly Moss creates is what we all want to create. Here are some of my favorite movie-related posters created by Moss.
First and foremost, here’s a link to his site. And just to help drive recognition to the guy, click on any image and it’ll take you to the full-res versions on his site. I have no desire to poach Google image traffic off of his work.
The first poster is for the link Scott posted. Each individual award has been handcrafted to represent the Best Picture-winner from that year:
He created a full series of Star Wars prints (episodes 4-6). That’s where I first discovered his work, not knowing it was his work.
This Bride of Frankenstein print is tremendous. The web resolution version looks great, but the design nerd in me gets excited about his description of the actual poster- printed with “cream and metallic ink on black paper.” Trust me. That design plus that ink combination is the mark of a master.
In 2010, Moss came up with several concepts for the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow. The use of negative space for Dirty Harry is, again, the mark of a master.
Like the Star Wars prints, I was aware of this impressive poster for Rubber (2010), but had no idea at the time that it was his work.
An Evil Dead poster? Yes yes yes yes, please.
He’s been very active with superhero movies the last few years. I’m particularly fond of this Captain America: The First Avenger print.
Once again, here’s some breathtaking work featuring negative space. I didn’t even see it at first. Then the lightbulb went off over my head. And it’s for An American Werewolf in London (1981), a horror movie that oozes cool.
Here’s the cover of his book, Silhouettes from Popular Culture. If you’d like to buy it, click on the image. In full disclosure, I haven’t seen the book other than on his website, but the cover makes me want to check it out. The wink-and-nod of having the Bride on the cover as a subversion of classic 19th century silhouette drawings makes me smile. And what appears to be an emboss and gold foil on the cover adds a healthy flair to the overall effect (sorry, I’m a design nerd).
I really can’t stress enough how good this work is. You may have heard comedians refer to other comedians as a “comedian’s comedian”. This is the design equivalent. The way he plies the craft illustrates a tremendous knowledge of good design in both obvious and subtle ways. It takes a special eye for design to accomplish this kind of work. That it just happens to pertain to movies that we all know and love is merely the icing on the cake. Whatever Olly Moss gets paid to design isn’t enough.
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I absolutely love Olly’s work, it’s stunning. Good to see his name getting around, his stuff deserves a wide audience.
I bet the most recent thing- the Oscar poster- will really get him some publicity.
I agree. The Oscar poster is insanely cool.
You could get lost in it all day.
I second that, I love his work too. I didn’t know about the book though, tempted to pick that up now, especially with my Birthday approaching. Thanks! 😉
If you do, report back and let me know how it is. It looks great.
Reblogged this on Blake Smisko and commented:
I don’t always reblog, but when I do it’s about Olly Moss.
Been a fan of his for ages. Empire film mag used to feature one of his posters each month. Also check out artist Jock. He’s good too. Did a great poster for The Raid
I’m pleasantly surprised that I’ve heard that a few times now- that he’s had followers for some time.
These are amazing. Don’t know which is my favorite — either the Evil Dead or American Werewolf in London.
Thanks for sharing, John.
The Evil Dead one is doubly cool because the tree veins in the hand play such a huge role in one of the movie’s most memorable scenes.
I’ve loved a lot of his superhero work as well, I used his Ghost Widow poster for my Avengers review, and I believe his poster for my Thor review as well. Love almost all of his stuff, definitely some amazing work.
The Thor print is VERY cool. Good design is all about simplicity, and the hammer… uh… nails it (pun not intended at all).