Visual Techniques

San Francisco Art Expo 1981 by Patrick Nagel 

Asymmetry, Contrast, Simplicity, Flatness, Stasis

Harper's Bazaar cover by Erte 

Contrast, Asymmetry, Activeness, Flatness

Both poster designs employ the visual technique of asymmetry. Patrick Nagel's poster for the 1981 SF Art Expo uses the technique to asymmetrically portray the golden gate bridge behind one of his signature women. Erte uses asymmetry to create a contrast between the models on the right and woman's face on the left. He also uses contrasting colors to highlight the red carpet, the gold of the curtains, the blue of the models makeup and the white of the skin and gowns of the models. Nagel also uses the same contrasting colors to highlight the red of the golden gate bridge and the pale white skin of his model. Both artists also use bold lines to emphasis the flatness of their subjects and backgounds. This is an element found in both of these artists' signature styles and shows off their influence from the bold lines and bold colors found in Japanese woodblock prints. While Erte's piece suggests activeness with the posing and placement of his models on a runway, Nagel's pieces uses stasis to emphasize the calm, romantic feel of his model and the golden gate bridge behind her.