10 Steps On How To Create A Minimalist Poster Design

Created by Minal Studio | https://www.behance.net/gallery/99142683/Maitha-Brand-Identity

Working with poster design might come with a lot of consideration. Not only about the appearance and concept, but you must also be adept with the ideas to create a meaningful and attractive poster. On this day, you get an almost never-ending design for your product. But, among those options, the minimalist theme is still up on the most favorable one.

What makes the minimalist poster design loved is its sake of focus. In other words, the idea completely helps the audience to be immersed in the message. Even though it has fewer is more ideas in mind, adapting minimalist synergy demands some tips and tricks. If you are here to learn and want to try this poster design, make sure you follow each step.   

1. Find Great Minimalist Poster References

Every designer or creative worker needs to start from references. The idea of finding great examples is to help you brainstorm and get some inspiration. But it is also a great method to learn further about the minimalist trend on the design. In this case, you have to get as many references as possible for your minimalist poster project. 

However, it is also important to make a boundary line to limit your references and get overwhelmed with ideas. So, the best thing that you can do is to work with poster templates. Sometimes a design template will give you enough foundation to enhance your project. The use of templates also helps you stay in the line, focus on the goal, and have minimalist ideas. 

But again, even the template models are endless. You will need to look for a template that fits with your minimalist layout, vision, and goals. Sometimes it also helps to choose some references that go with your minimalist poster design dimension. So, you got broad ideas on how your work will look like. 

During this time, you have to be clever. Working with minimalist posters does not mean you are bound with limited creativity, options, and ideas. There are endless possibilities in the realm of minimalist posters. Thus, you can grab some stunning ideas and get creative with them. It is also vital to note that you are free to experience different design elements. 

You can work with colors, lettering, layout, graphic, and many other elements. The idea of minimalist art is to make a piece that forms a creative conversation. It is not only a pretty piece but has a meaning in it. As you gather some poster ideas, try to consider the client's sides. It later will be your guideline to make the tantalizing print with a minimalist design. 

Created by damon xart | https://www.behance.net/gallery/71102027/NTU-University-90th-Anniversary-CelebrationIdentity

2. Ask Your Client About The Design Requirement

While you have a great length of freedom in design, working with clients means you are not the boss. The client is. In this case, you have to ensure you can use all your minimalist design poster ideas in your head to fit the client's needs. This is where your communication skills shine through the process. 

Since you are working with clients, try to ask and understand what they want. Most of the time, the design requirements are written as part of the brief. Some of them might include the fundamental principle for design, such as elements, goal, vision, and brand identity. Thus, ensure you know everything before you create the minimalist poster. 

In this case, you have to find out and know all of the fundamental design requirements. Some of them are the size, the color, the layout graphic, and many more. Conversing with your client will help you learn more about the proper conditions. Thus, you can create a minimalist design that fits your client's preferences. 

Created by Geoffrey Mark Taylor | https://www.behance.net/gallery/132799995/Shinko-

3. Clearly Understand The Design Brief 

To help you map out all of the poster design requirements and the clients' preferences, you can use a brief. It is one of the powerful tools that help you in minimalist poster creation. It is especially true since the brief can cover all of the information needed for the project. Some of the details inside might also turn into a guideline that helps you during the process. 

If you already have a design brief, then make sure your client can answer as detailed as possible. Whether your project is a minimalist poster design or not, you will need a brief. So, what do you need to write or find in brief? It covers the overview of the client's business or project. It includes goals, brand, and product. 

Another point that you need to have in the design brief is the cover scope. It will explain all of the requirements, vision, and goals. The brief is also your minimalist poster guide on developing a model that fits the target audience. Some of the brief might also mention competitions, goals, provide already made inventory, etc. 

However, during the poster design creation, you will need to learn and understand your brief. Some details, in brief, will include the scheduling, budget, milestone, etc. When you can understand all of the details, you are bound to work in the correct lane. It helps you avoid creating mistakes for the minimalist project. So, don't underestimate your client's brief. 

Created by Michał Markiewicz | https://www.behance.net/gallery/92639973/Industry-Day-South-West

4. Get Yourself A Perfect Minimalist Typeface

Since minimalist style has a smaller number of elements, it does not mean you can use any typeface. Being a minimalist poster design means you got to ensure the font will fit the concept. So, this is where you should utilize typefaces smartly. Putting together your typeface in the poster will later make a certain impression. 

It can look expensive, fun, eccentric, or modern. Using typeface in minimalist design is also part of the art and versatile communication tool. In the case of minimalist posters, you can play around with typeface and its letter form. Sometimes, even a single word can add more meaning to your design. 

If you are smart at choosing the typeface, you can also use the letterform as a design element. Blend it with graphics, and you get a sophisticated overall look. But again, this is where your judgment comes to mind. You need to ensure your typeface choice fits the requirement, product identity, and brief. 

Not only that, the typeface is your way to communicate with the audience. The minimalist concept does not limit you to being creative, especially with the copy. A clever or creative copy can be your weapon to make a mind-blowing message. Wordplay is one of the ways to make a tantalizing minimalist poster design. But, you will need to get the right font for it. 

It goes way more vital if you are trying to create a type-centric design. The type-centric style will demand you to use the copy as the center position. In other words, your minimalistic concept will only use the copy as its primary element. It again emphasizes the fact that you will need a perfect typeface. Here are some of the suggested ones. 

5. Play Around With Typography

One of the golden rules of poster design is to use a classic typeface and basic illustration. It indicates that you can create a minimalist idea just by choosing the perfect typeface that fits the look, theme, and feel. But with an abundance of fonts, you will find differing letterforms. Rather than just use it as it is, play with it. 

The idea of playing with typography fits well for minimalist artwork. It is because, in minimalist posters, you can work with a smaller number of elements and make it shine, just like how you play around with typography. If you are in doubt, tons of examples show how they turn the typography into something more meaningful. 

A minimalist composition is key. It highlights the aim to communicate with the least number of elements as possible. Thus, creating a minimalist poster design is one of a kind. The clever use of typography is typography that creates the shape of a light bulb. The copy inside completes the project, along with small shapes on top and bottom. 

In that example, you can see how the meaning and arrangement take a huge role in the overall design. The poster not only creates a visual illusion that resembles a light bulb, but it also delivers the message through the copy. Another best example of the poster design is the use of A letter that resembles an eye.  

There are also ranges of other creative ideas for minimalist typography. One of them is the letterform as a design element. You need to use two or more letters and arrange them in such a way inside a small square. You can add colors and details to make it fit the minimalist concept. It is also possible to make a large element, which turns into a center of attention. 

You might also find great use of letterform combined with imagery. It is one of the popular techniques that help create a visual illusion and appeal in with a modest touch. The poster will make it as if the imager has a connection with the letter work. One of the best examples is the ballet form that is wrapped around the typeface.  

Created by Serious Studio | https://www.behance.net/gallery/105756457/Sunki-Dressed-for-Impact

6. Use Suitable Minimalist Graphic Elements

If you are trying to add imagery to your minimalist design, you got endless possibilities. Try to be creative with your poster image. You can start with simple geometric shapes, a focal point graphic, use iconic imagery, create an illustration, or use stock images. No matter what your option is, the minimalist poster design needs a proper image. 

So, what should you do? The first thing to know is to avoid random images. Make sure you have a high-resolution graphic and befitting image. The poster images ideas vary. Thus, you can mix and match to fit the concept. Using geometric help creates an immersive appearance with the help of strong shapes and colors. 

The lesser element, the more powerful the visual is. You can simply use one image and a highlighted letter to deliver your message. It is also worth mentioning the sense of abstraction. Some print designers use minimalist concepts to create an open-minded interpretation. However, the imagery should not busy up your poster layout. 

It also means that you have to pay attention to the layout and grid. Simple use of grid and layout brings out a sense of a clear and precise message. It is also easier to spot the focal point, which later helps the audience to learn about the information. If you are interested in some unique ideas, adding iconic imagery will also make a nice touch.  

In other words, a minimalist poster design will not be completed without an image. While you can work only with letter form and typeface, adding pictures help the audience to follow the message. To help you learn more about how to add or choose the picture, you can see some of these few captivating graphic element ideas. 

7. Create Balance Between Texts & Graphics

Since you will need both text and graphics, it means you have to balance them. The best proportion for the minimalist concept is half and half. It means that you need 50% of the poster made of text and 50% has a picture in it. Don't take it literally. What you need is to balance the two elements. So, your design will look professional and have a DIY feel in it. 

When you are trying to create a balance in your poster, one of the vital points is the white space. The whitespace or the empty space surrounding the design element is as necessary as other elements. You need to balance the use of space, letters, and images. It will help you send the proper message and surprisingly create a complete minimalist concept. 

Created by Laura Campos Lorenzo | https://www.behance.net/gallery/133026177/UPFLY-marketing

8. Use Minimal Color.

Minimalist does not mean you need to use black-and-white color. The monochrome can be one of the most straightforward minimalist poster designs, but you can do more. Some designers might try the more daring option such as bright color or visual contrast. The idea works perfectly for minimalistic concepts. 

It is easy to admit that all you need to know about color design is the staple rule of 2 or 3 colors. That is the minimal number of shades you can use in minimalist design. The good news is that you can play around with color as much as you do with typography. Most of the time, the concept use accent color to highlight its message. 

At some point, the use of brighter colors helps create a more modern, sophisticated, and eye-catching look. Just because it is called minimalist, it does not mean you cannot get creative with poster design. You don't have to play with muted palettes or white. Work with more modern hues and contrasts that fit with your client's preferences and concepts.  

Created by Jessica Santos | https://www.behance.net/gallery/100174983/360-Branding

9. Consider The Print Material

The printing process matters a lot in your design project. In the case of the minimalist concept, your poster material helps create certain looks. For example, you can use glossy paper to make a popup color. A matte paper will be the option that provides a deeper muted impression. Choose one that might fit with your client's preferences. 

In this case, you got a lot of material to work with. Starting from strong paper, vinyl, or print paper. You will need to refer back to your design brief to consider the best option. Find out the usage, the location, and the need. Do you need a water-resistant print or a huge poster that fits a billboard? The minimalist poster design's size and detail will depend on the brief. 

Created by Abduallah Esmail | https://www.behance.net/gallery/131155295/Brand-Identity-Smile-Kids-Clothes

10. Present The Printed Poster To Your Client Or Use Minimalist Poster Mockups

In this state, you are ready with the finished project and print material consideration. However, before you materialize the product, try to use a mockup. Mockups help you imagine and envision the final result in the proper material without printing it. This is the best way to present your poster in front of your client. 

Since you are working with minimalist poster design mockups, you still have a chance to alter the product. It is a process where you show your hard work for your client and get feedback. Again, there are a lot of ways to make your mockup stand out. You can go with the standard showcase or use some sophisticating one to create more realistic imagery. 

A professional poster mockup should have perfect and appropriate imagery. In other words, you need to fit the design theme with the mockup design. You can also find a great length of options of mockup layout to show off your work, such as billboard, wall poster, frame, paper, etc. You can check some of these examples for your poster showcase. 

Final Words

The key to creating a minimalist poster is on the concept. The less is more, and the concept should be high up on your mindset. But to utilize the idea while still conveying the message, you have to ensure every element helps each other. Start with the brief, the typeface, the typography, graphic, balance them, mind the color, choose the print, and mockup. It will help you go through the production process.