World War II Posters

The American government developed propaganda posters to promote production as the states became more closely involved with World War II.

Charles Coiner was placed in charge as the art consultant for the government during the defense buildup.

Propaganda - A specific type of message presentation aimed at serving an agenda. At its root, the denotation of propaganda is ‘to propagate (actively spread) a philosophy or view’.

Jean Carlu1941More than 100,000 posters were distributed across the countryReceived top award from New York Art Director’s Club Exhibition

John Atherton1943Cover Illustrator for Saturday Evening Post

Joseph Binder1941Poster Proposal

E. McKnight Kauffer1940“We Fight for the Liberty for All”Portuguese

Classical Greek Head + American Flag

Ben ShahnPoster for the US office of War

Information1940

A painter whose known for his paintings of political and economic issues during the depression.

Typography is used as if it were a telegram.

Herbert Bayer1943

Simplified realism to address communication needs.

Herbert Bayer1949

Herbert Bayer - 1942 & 1943Storm signifies cardboard packaging protecting goods from the elementsVisual elements illustrate how food can be packaged for troops under global conditions.

From Britain…

Abram Games1942

3 basic images combined to communicate poster’s message

PROPAGANDA POSTERS

Thumbnail sketches - small, quick sketches that record ideas and information for a final work of art.

Slogan -a memorable motto or phrase used in a political, commercial, and other contexts as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose.

Vector - An electronic or computer-readable image format incorporating a formulate representation of graphical line art.

Typography - The selection of typefaces (fonts) and arrangement of type in a composition.

Vocabulary