"Inferno in Motion: Poster Design Inspired by Dante's Gluttony"
Skills
After Effects
Procreate
Adobe Photoshop
Overview
A group of students were tasked to bring Dante’s Inferno to life. My focus of the project was on the 3rd Circle of Hell … Gluttony. Posters were brought to life through motion, enhancing the sense of dread and the sinister atmosphere for Fright Night, a showcase of student works held around Halloween.
Goal
The goal is to visually immerse the audience in the dark, oppressive atmosphere of Dante’s Circle of Hell through animated posters, evoking feelings of dread and discomfort, using motion and visual effects to highlight the grotesque nature of excess and punishment, creating a memorable experience for the Fright Night audience.
The Event
The posters were displayed as part of Fright Night, set in a darkened room where the animation could shine through. Using motion graphics in poster design created a unique and immersive experience, capturing the attention of viewers and immersing them in the visceral world of Dante’s Inferno.
The Installation
The space that Dante’s 9 circles of hell is installed on is 17 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The scale of the installation amplifies the oppressive themes, engulfing the viewer and forcing them to confront the visceral horrors.
Challenges
Traditional poster designs are static and can struggle to hold attention in immersive environments. Incorporating motion keeps viewers engaged.
Motion Graphic
The motion graphic added dynamic weather effects like rain, ice, and hail, mimicking the eternal storm of the 3rd Circle.
Poster
From the theme of the Inferno, I sketched and drafted concepts of how gluttony could be represented in a visually compelling way. The poster highlights included human forms that are bloated and distorted, representing the physical manifestations of gluttony in an atmosphere with heavy rain and swirling mud animated to mirror the eternal downpour described in the Inferno, and Cerberus a subtle but powerful presence striking fear in the paralyzed humans
Process
To bring Dante’s 3rd Circle of Hell to life, I drew from old biblical illustrations and etching techniques to create a gritty, timeless feel. I was inspired to use intricate line work and dark, muted tones, giving the poster an antique quality. I tested the projection with smaller versions of the poster, refining the motion to ensure that each eerie movement enhanced the sense of dread. This approach allowed me to fine-tune the animation’s visual impact, creating an unsettling, immersive experience for viewers.
Conclusion
The project successfully met its objectives by blending the horror of Dante’s gluttony with modern animation techniques. The animated posters stood out as a unique feature of Fright Night, offering a fresh take on the traditional poster medium and deepening the audience's engagement through movement and thematic depth.