Noah Cousineau | Oppenheimer Alternative Poster
I'm a designer who loves to find a balance between art and graphic design. I'm also curious in a career in film and television marketing.
Oppenheimer is a biopic about J Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist credited for the creation of the first atomic bomb. The movie reveals not only the creation of the bomb, but the Frankenstein-like relationship between creator and monster. I chose this movie not only because it's been one of my favorites in recent history, but I felt that the existing posters for the movie were mediocre and didn't express the film well.
One of the disturbing but fascinating aspects about atomic explosions that I learned was the power of the initial flash when the atoms first collide. I was inspired by one of the existing posters for Oppenheimer which showed the physicist looking out a window while the bright white light of the initial flash bathed his face. I wanted to explore this concept of extreme light and contrast further with my poster design. In addition, I wanted it to be purely black and white as the tests in the movie (and real life) occurred during night and to get the sensation of pure atomic energy with the blank white flash. I sketched out a skull shape with charcoal, loosely resembling the bomb tower, fragments or balls of gas in the air, and the scientists observing below from a distance. Charcoal was chosen to give a similar grain feeling that would be found in photography of the time. One of the best parts of the film Oppenheimer is the main character's struggle with his creation. Specifically, Oppenheimer famously mentions "Now I have become death, the destroyer of worlds." The symbol of a skull eludes to the death and horror that the original posters do not.
I highly recommend always taking a physical approach when creating design work. Not having access to photographs of the actors will give you more play to think about the poster conceptually.
One of the disturbing but fascinating aspects about atomic explosions that I learned was the power of the initial flash when the atoms first collide. I was inspired by one of the existing posters for Oppenheimer which showed the physicist looking out a window while the bright white light of the initial flash bathed his face. I wanted to explore this concept of extreme light and contrast further with my poster design. In addition, I wanted it to be purely black and white as the tests in the movie (and real life) occurred during night and to get the sensation of pure atomic energy with the blank white flash. I sketched out a skull shape with charcoal, loosely resembling the bomb tower, fragments or balls of gas in the air, and the scientists observing below from a distance. Charcoal was chosen to give a similar grain feeling that would be found in photography of the time. One of the best parts of the film Oppenheimer is the main character's struggle with his creation. Specifically, Oppenheimer famously mentions "Now I have become death, the destroyer of worlds." The symbol of a skull eludes to the death and horror that the original posters do not.
I highly recommend always taking a physical approach when creating design work. Not having access to photographs of the actors will give you more play to think about the poster conceptually.
Noah's favorite films are There Will Be Blood, Fargo, The Red Balloon, 12 Angry Men
You can view his work at noahcousineau.com