There are a lot of things to think about when creating a great movie poster, much like anything else. But some of the essentials will always stay the same no matter what designer you are talking to:
Intrigue
Make a poster that people will stop and look at, if you can get a conversation started about it then it is even better and more likely that people will end up wanting to see the film.
Informative & Concise
A great mysterious movie poster may get lots of conversation going, but unless you actually tell people what it is they are looking for it is a wasted effort. Make sure the typography is legible, and you include all the relevant information (director, actors etc.) in the correct formats. Provide a clear message and don’t make your audience work for it, speaking of audience…
Audience
Your target audience is important; if it’s not a kid’s movie, stay away from the cartoons and cutesy images. Also, never confuse the audiences for a romance and an action flick, it will never fly.
Space
Leave some, don’t assault your viewer with images; remember one strong message is a lot better than a bunch of little ones that only half come across.
Striking
We all like to be surprised, we all like a double take, catch someone’s eye with a unique design and you got ‘em hooked.
Memorable
No matter how cool the design, if people don’t think of it next time they are going to a movie, then there isn’t really a point…
