Brian Oakes Artist Talk Poster

Assignment: The goal was to design a poster that visually promotes an artist talk by interdisciplinary sculptor Brian Oakes, hosted by Computation, Technology, & Culture (CTC) at RISD. The poster needed to capture the spirit of Oakes’ experimental practice with technocraft, satellite culture, and DIY materiality while clearly communicating the event details to the RISD and broader Providence community. The poster should feel highly connected to the physical and speculative nature of Oakes’ work — bridging hand-built complexity with technological precision — and attract an audience interested in contemporary approaches to sculpture and computation. Approach: The design process began with visual research into Brian Oakes’ body of work, focusing on his handcrafted, intricate, and technology-infused sculptures. I explored two primary visual directions: one using only typography, and one layering typography directly onto images of Oakes’ artwork. After testing several iterations, I found that the complex visual language of Oakes’ sculptures demanded typography that acted like a “crystal goblet” — clear and elegant, allowing the artwork’s intricacy to remain the primary visual focus while enhancing its aura. I selected Literata, a variable serif font known for its subtlety, wide range of weights, and high legibility. I manipulated the typography by varying letter sizes dramatically across the poster to evoke a dynamic presence while still allowing the sculptural image to shine through. The typography dances with the image, expanding and contracting across the canvas in a rhythm that echoes Oakes’ interplay of control and spontaneity in his work. Results: The final poster successfully captures both the experimental ethos and delicate technological intricacy of Brian Oakes’ work. The varied typography engages viewers from a distance while rewarding closer inspection. Audience feedback during the event reflected a strong appreciation for the clarity and visual resonance of the poster with the artist’s practice. It drew a large and engaged audience to the talk, fulfilling both the functional and conceptual goals of the assignment.