It was the start of a decade of big hair, checkerboard Vans, and the introduction of music videos.

In the realm of graphic design, it was the year of bright, neon color palettes, airbrushed illustrations, and geometric shapes that showed up in everything from album covers and magazines to… you guessed it, movie posters.

However, the full effect of this shift was not yet apparent in the first year, that is 1980. However, that doesn’t mean the year was short of a few, inspirational cinematic posters that set themselves apart from the rest of the pack.

The Shining

While a certain image of Jack’s face peering through the splintered door is what has become the culture’s main image from this film, its movie poster took a different turn to get viewers attention from the sidewalk marquee.  A full background of yellow is met with no main image other than the title treatment, with its slightly ambiguous and creepy stippled face inside the lettering.  Nothing else.  Simple. Clean. And very effective.

Altered States

The brillance in this poster’s design lies in its unusual image of an upside-down William Hurt, a muted-toned brown duotone color palette, with nice accents of the colored plugs going into his head.  Here, color is used in a minimal way, but very effective way.

Head On

Strong directional lines always are an effective method for drawing the eye into the layout.  This poster is a good example of that.  The road median helps to bisect the layout and give it a symmetrical feel.  The strong straight lines however are contrasted nicely with the loose, brush-script title treatment.  But what makes this poster so effective for a dark film?  By forcing the viewer into what should be a very symmetrical design, the very asymmetrical eyes are that more noticeable which gives it a very disturbing vibe to it.

Airplane!

“Surely you can’t be serious. And don’t call me Shirley.”

One of the most famous parody movies of all time deserves a poster that is equally memorable.  The concept of twisting an airplane and not overcrowding the layout is what makes this iconic poster so effective.

“Pardon me… do you speak Jive?”

The Elephant Man

I love a movie poster that helps really capture the visual tone of a movie.  The visceral feel of it.  The grainy, bleak image used for the main focus of this poster helps to really set the stage for this poignant film.

Middle Age Crazy

I had to save the best for last.  The concept for this poster is so far from the rest of the pack, it is nothing short of fantastic.  The mock-newspaper, with its varying headlines and rather obscure method of displaying the important information about the movie is what makes people stop and really take a look at this poster.  Nicely done!