Saul Bass poster work:
As a design it is quite simple. It involves 2 primary colours on which there is a simple design of a human body corpse. Such a corpse seems that it is made from paper cut-outs. On this corpse as well, there is the title of the film written using an innovative style (when it comes to typography). To a certain extent, the grid system is followed mainly because of the margins used and the visual is on top. This is crucial especially when it comes to the marketing.
This is the title of a film directed by Preminger in 1960. The poster worked like a trademark. From flames of a burning paper there is a number of hands going upwords reaching a rifle. This movement is a symbol of the struggle if the new Israel.
This well balanced poster gave a modern and cool feel to the film. Once again the designer follows the grid system, especially when it comes to the visual. Dark colours are used and also real photos in this poster design. Such a combination does not seem duel. These real photo were action shots of the starts starring in the film. The jagged arm became a very powerful symbol for the film in various press adverts.
Saul Bass title sequences:
His own words -
“For the average audience, the credits tell them there’s only
three minutes left to eat popcorn. I take this ‘dead’ period and try to do more than simply get rid of names that filmgoers aren’t interested in.
I aim to set up the audience for what’s coming;
make them expectant.”
three minutes left to eat popcorn. I take this ‘dead’ period and try to do more than simply get rid of names that filmgoers aren’t interested in.
I aim to set up the audience for what’s coming;
make them expectant.”
Saul Bass was a master, when creating title sequences. Here are some of his work which in my opinion, shows the best title sequences ever:
The opening of this title sequence; 'The Anatomy of a Murder' was on 1959, produced by Otto Preminger film. Bass introduced jazz-inflected procedural thriller by deconstructing the human body, using more of paper cutout. In my opinion such sequence is a very classic piece of graphic design, therefore giving the movie a strong, timeless identity that still inspires filmmakers to this day.
'The Man with the Golden Arm' was the second of thirteen title sequences that Saul Bass designed for Otto Preminger in 1955 which is a study of heroin addiction, moving paper cutouts around to suggest needles, veins and arms.
Another fantastic title sequence 'It's a mad mad mad mad world' by Saul Bass which was the second of two sequences designed for director Stanley Kramer. Saul Bass created some sort of a globe referencing to the world to show how many visual jokes can squeeze out of it. Smart use of animation and also typography. Seems both of the film and the title were based on similar nations: such as make a joke, push it beyond the reasonable point.
Saul Bass Logo Design: Then and Now
Bass also worked as an identity designer creating some of the strongest and important brands, most of which are still in use to this day. Here one can see a list of logos that Saul Bass originated designs.
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| Lawry's Foods (1959) Lawry's Foods Original design by Saul Bass 3D version |
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| Fuller Paints (1963) Fuller O'Brien Original design by Saul Bass Only the name has changed |
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| Celanese (1966) Celanese (200-) Original design by Saul Bass Designed by Siegel and Gale |
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| Continental (1967) Continental (1991) Original design by Saul Bass Designed by Onoma Design |
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| Bell (1969) Used unit 1984, when such company became AT&T and Bass was hired to design their new logo. |
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| Dixie (1969) Dixie (2007) Original design by Saul Bass |
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| Quaker (1969) Quaker (2010) Original design by Saul Bass Designed by Wallace Church |
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| United Way (1972) United Way (2004) Original design by Saul Bass Designed by FutureBrand in 2004 |
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| Avery (1975) Avery changed their name to Avery Dennison after a merger. The company still uses the same symbol and typeface as in 1975. |
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| Frontier Airlines (1978) The logo has been used until 1986, when Frontier Airlines filed for bankruptcy. 
Girl Scouts (1978) Girl Scouts (2010)
Original design by Saul Bass Redesigned by OCD Agency
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| Geffen Records (1981) Original design by Saul Bass and it still remains till this day. |
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| General Foods (1984) The logo has been used until the merger with Kraft in 1990. |
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| Kibun (1984) The company still uses the same symbol. |
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| AT&T (1984) AT&T (2005) Original design by Saul Bass Redesigned by Interbrand |
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| Kose' Cosmetics (1991) Kose' is one of the top cosmetics manufacturers in Japan. The company still uses the same logo as in 1991. |
Saul Bass Movie Poster: Then and Now
Here below are some of the examples showing movie posters that Saul Bass designed back in the days, which still implies to this day on DVD packaging designs.
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| Saint Joan (1957) Saint Joan (2010) Original design by Saul Bass DVD, Warner Archive Collection |
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| Vertigo (1958) Vertigo (2008) Original design by Saul Bass DVD, Universal |
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| Anatomy of a Murder (1959) Anatomy of a Murder (2000) Original design by Saul Bass DVD, Sony Pictures |
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| Anatomy of a Murder (1959) Anatomy of a Murder (2012) Original design by Saul Bass DVD/Blu-ray, Criterion Collection |
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| Advise & Consent (1962) Advise & Consent (2005) Original design by Saul Bass DVD, Warner Home Video |
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| Such Good Friends (1971) Such Good Friends (2011) Original design by Saul Bass DVD, Olive Films |
References:
Annyas, C., 2010. Christian Annyas. Saul Bass: Then and Now, [blog] 2011. Available at: <http://annyas.com/saul-bass-movie-posters-then-now> [Accessed November 2013].
Pulver, A., 2013. Film Blog. Saul Bass title sequences: ten of the best, [blog] 2013. Available at: <http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/may/08/saul-bass-title-sequence-ten-best> [Accessed November 2013].
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