re: the trend of redesigning classic book/movie covers

bryanmckay:

Laz Marquez redesigned some classic Hitchcock posters. I have mixed feelings about the others in this series (and about this whole trend of redesigning old posters, book covers, etc.) but this one really stands out to me as fabulous work. I could see this on the cover of a Criterion DVD.

agreed on the mixed feelings of this trend. one of the things, i think, that makes stuff like this travel so far is that designers are playing off of the culture built around the movies.

duh, it’s super easy when something has been around forever and has influenced culture in specific ways. the iconic moments are already defined by the voice of the people.

it’s often lovely work and clever ideas, but doesn’t really do or add much value to… anything? it’s just a prettier/minimal image of something that has already become an icon.

the very best stuff is when you build something that becomes iconic. when you’re handed nothing and have to build a whole new world. THAT’S what i like to see.