Guy Ritchie Film Collection: A Design Exploration of Irony and Inspiration

Unveiling the Essence of Guy Ritchie's Work through Design

The motivation behind the Guy Ritchie Film Collection, designed by Ali Metehan Erdem, was to capture the deep ironies present in Ritchie's films through a series of posters and DVD cases. By delving into the essence of Ritchie's work, Erdem aimed to create a design that not only reflects the director's unique style but also emphasizes the underlying themes and discourses that shape his movies.

Ali Metehan Erdem, a young and talented designer, embarked on this project by thoroughly analyzing Ritchie's films. Through charcoal sketches, Erdem quickly created simple and rough designs that accentuated the ascendant feeling present in Ritchie's work. This primitive method had a significant impact on Erdem's style, shaping his approach to design.

What sets the Guy Ritchie Film Collection apart from other designs is its focus on the director's inspiration, discourses, and style rather than the actors, actresses, or characteristic scenes typically associated with Ritchie's films. For example, the poster for the movie "Swept Away" critiques gender perceptions rather than featuring the actress Madonna. This emphasis on underlying themes is consistent throughout the entire collection, with Erdem carefully selecting colors and styles to convey the intended message.

The realization of the Guy Ritchie Film Collection involved a combination of traditional and digital techniques. After the charcoal sketches were digitally retouched, the posters were printed on matte poster papers, ensuring a high-quality finish. Craft papers and natural woods were chosen for the CD covers and their cases, adding a tactile element to the collection.

Technical specifications for the Guy Ritchie Film Collection include poster dimensions of 500 mm x 700 mm, printed on matte poster papers. The CD covers measure 133 mm x 8 mm x 187 mm and are printed on craft papers, while the film collection wood case measures 140 mm x 195 mm x 74 mm and features branding applied with laser engraving.

The project, which started in April 2012 and concluded in July 2012, was a senior project in the Graphic Design department. Throughout the four-month duration, Erdem received feedback from department instructors, refining and perfecting the designs.

The Guy Ritchie Film Collection, exhibited at the Bilkent University Graphic Design Department Graduation exhibition, showcases Erdem's ability to capture the essence of a director's work through design. By focusing on the underlying themes and discourses, Erdem invites viewers to delve deeper into Ritchie's films and appreciate the intricate ironies that define his unique style.

The Guy Ritchie Film Collection, designed by Ali Metehan Erdem, was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2016. This prestigious accolade recognizes designs that are well-designed, practical, and innovative, meeting professional and industrial requirements. The collection's integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics contributes to a better world, providing fulfillment and positive feelings to its viewers.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Ali Metehan Erdem
Image Credits: Ali Metehan Erdem
Project Team Members: Ali Metehan Erdem
Project Name: Guy Ritchie
Project Client: Ali Metehan Erdem


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