Iconic things are often born out of necessity, creative ingenuity and self-expression, the graphic styles that emerged in these musical styles are no exception. Band posters and flags are rebellious and are the result of applying cheap techniques. With this aesthetic an expression which refutes our consumer behaviour has emerged, and in particular meat consumption.
It was the early nineties and I must have been about three or four years old when my father sometimes took me to the rehearsal room of his hard rock band. It was an old farmhouse on a larger farmyard with the windows boarded up. Upon entering there was a large room filled with flight cases and musical instruments everywhere, a recording studio and a living room converted into a Café. It was a dark and musty place where it smelled like old equipment. There were walls filled with messages, the whole vibe impressed me because it felt somewhat forbidden to be in for a young kid. But what really impressed me was that the walls and ceilings were covered with band flags. While my father rehearsed, I sat listening and leaning back on the oversized leather couch, looking at the flags. I tried to understand them, found them scary at times, but above all very colourful. I am convinced that these memories play a major role in my love for graphic design and especially the power of conveying a message.
Design process
Iconic things are often born out of necessity, creative ingenuity and self-expression, the graphic styles that emerged in these musical styles are no exception. Band posters and flags are rebellious and are the result of applying cheap techniques. The graphic techniques used in punk and hard rock music are very politically coloured, cynical, shouty with the aim of rebelling against the established order. I am impressed by the pre-digital subcultures where adolescents expressed themselves creatively, that unfortunately in many cases, would be the last outburst of self expression and creativity before it faded away for good.
I wanted to use band flags to convey a message with the challenge of using this medium to clarify positions regarding contemporary issues in our society. I chose a collage technique that was often used in the punk scene using public domain images. An expression has emerged that refutes our consumer behaviour, and in particular meat consumption.
Work Fields Illustration, Graphic Design
Type of Work Proposal
Year 2022