THEATRE STANDARD & POSTERS CASE STUDY
Our challenge: unify the visual identity of a college theater department.
The result: a poster series that not only stands out on campus—but also performs impressively on social media.
Client: Cal Poly Pomona Department Theatre and New Dance
Research
We began by researching each play to understand its themes and tone, ensuring our designs accurately reflected the content. We then collaborated with the client to gain insight into their vision for each production and to define the key information required for the poster standard.
Standard Development
The poster standard was designed to consistently present key information—such as show dates and ticket details—across all productions. Each team member created a version of the standard, and after rounds of feedback and revision, my design was selected for its clear typographic hierarchy, adaptable color system, and full image frame. Its flexibility allowed each poster to visually align with the unique palette of each plays poster while maintaining a cohesive structure.
First Draft of Standard & Marquee with mockup image
Revised Standard & Marquee with mockup image
Poster Development
Drawing from our play research and client input, we each developed posters that visually captured the essence of each specific production while incorporating the play’s title through expressive typography. After presenting our initial concepts to the client, we refined our designs based on their feedback. One of my posters was ultimately selected for production and featured on the department’s Instagram, where it received strong engagement.
Our Dear Dead Drug Lord
Peachy
Dance Concert
Watsonville
Results
As a result, our team delivered a cohesive and adaptable poster standard along with a range of design options for each production. The selected posters were printed, displayed across campus, and featured on the department’s Instagram recieving hundreds of likes across various posts. They also appeared on a large digital marquee at a major campus intersection, expanding their visibility to a wider audience.
© Josh Bentzen 2025