At the start of the BCA poster project BUILDHOLLYWOOD’s Managing Director talked with students about various approaches to outdoor marketing, taking them through the stages of a commercial advertising or good cause sponsorship campaign from first contact to final installation in the urban environment. Another member of the BUILDHOLLYWOOD team then visited BCA to expand more specifically on the main concerns and processes involved in creating the best possible poster artwork. The basic elements of visual art – line, form, colour, shape, pattern, composition, etc. – all pertain but with the added stipulation that students were asked to address a topic that they cared deeply about. The thinking being, “If you don’t care about your work then why would viewers passing by?”

The range of themes tackled by students was impressive. Anti-racism; promotion of opportunity for young people; mental health; the climate crisis; eco-fascism and the pressing need to agitate for social justice were just some of the many issues addressed.

The visual styles adopted by students was impressively varied. From bold and dynamic graphic designs to more narrative outcomes that conveyed a message through strong figurative elements. Some posters explored very personal issues: feeling ignored or not heard in a family setting. Others expounded more general or abstract concerns: the importance of self-belief, the celebration of difference and not letting the clock or other peoples’ agendas dominate your life.

The clarity and detail of student presentations was notable. They talked about where ideas came from in terms of artists and designers as well as other inspirational references. Students explained the various visual elements of their posters and the process by which they developed ideas into final designs. Overall, the quality of students’ verbal pitches was outstanding: brave, impassioned, ambitious, witty and thought-provoking. Even more impressive was the atmosphere of support and encouragement they offered one another.

The initial thought was that BCA tutors, BUILDHOLLYWOOD rep.s and the art curator Tanaka Saburi would select six of the student posters to be printed large scale and displayed on sites in the vicinity of the academy. Due to the exciting range and fine quality of the work, however, it was decided to reprint all the student poster designs and display them both singly and in compendium as a celebration on the streets of all the students’ efforts and imagination to chime with the 2022 festive period. Happy winter holidays one and all!