Overview
This project was a selected finalist entry for the 33rd San Diego Latino Film Festival poster competition. The goal was to create a visual identity for the 2026 festival that celebrates the intersection of Latino culture, history, and the art of filmmaking.
Tools
Adobe Illustrator
Design Goal
I developed a concept titled "Cultivating Stories," using a vibrant, contemporary folk-art style. The illustration depicts a "milpa" (cornfield) where the tools of cinema are literally part of the harvest.
Key Design Features:
Cinematic Symbolism: Look closely and you’ll find "Easter eggs" throughout the field, such as film reels serving as the centers of blooming sunflowers and studio barn-door lights growing alongside the corn.
Cultural Fabric: The figures wear clothing adorned with film strip patterns, subtly suggesting that our stories are woven into our daily lives and heritage.
Setting the Scene: The backdrop features a classic San Diego/Baja sunset with palm trees, grounded in a palette of electric purples, oranges, and teals to capture the energy of the festival.
Integrated Typography: The festival title and dates (March 18–22, 2026) are positioned prominently, framed by a star-studded sky that adds a touch of "Hollywood" magic to the rural scene.
Outcome
The design was recognized as a finalist entry, praised for its unique narrative approach and bold use of color. It successfully communicated the 2026 festival’s theme of growth and storytelling, bridging the gap between the people who work the land and the people who tell their stories on the silver screen.