Stencil Poster

The problem of this project was to use stencil typography in a way that steps outside of its typical comfort zone. Stencil fonts are usually associated with military, industrial, or rough masculine themes. My goal was to apply the stencil font in a softer, feminine setting while still keeping a strong and empowering tone.

Although this was an independent project, my partner and I discussed possible ideas before starting. She suggested makeup, and I suggested skincare. I also considered dance, but we both agreed that it would be too complicated because there are many genres of dance, which would make the concept harder to focus. After thinking about it more, I decided to move forward with skincare for my individual design because it created a stronger contrast with the stencil font.

My target audience is primarily women and individuals interested in skincare and self-care. This audience typically enjoys daily skincare routines, beauty products, and self-care rituals. While skincare is often marketed toward women, it is inclusive and can appeal to many identities. Skincare is a year-round activity and is usually done indoors.

For my color scheme, I chose warm pastel-inspired tones including yellow, white, soft brown, and hints of pink. The yellow background represents radiance and glow, which connects directly to my slogan. The softer tones help balance the boldness of the stencil font. This contrast between strong typography and soft color helps push the stencil font outside of its usual aggressive environment.

To create my poster, I first researched inspiration on Pinterest to find a model that matched the confident but calm tone I wanted. I then used Vizcom to experiment with prompts, adjusting the background, lighting, and overall mood.

For the product, I created my own skincare brand called AUR. I sketched the serum bottle and label in Concepts before importing it into Vizcom to generate a more realistic image. I refined the label using another AI design tool to make it look clean and professional. After generating the product and model separately, I combined both images so it appeared that she was holding the serum.

Finally, I used Canva to assemble the layout. I applied the stencil typography for the slogan “OWN YOUR GLOW.” I adjusted placement, and spacing to guide the viewer’s eye from the headline to the model to the product. I also added decorative elements such as flowers to reinforce femininity and softness.

One challenge I faced was that the serum bottle did not come out as clear and detailed as I originally imagined. I tried refining the AI prompts to improve the clarity, but the results were limited. I had to evaluate the different versions and choose the strongest option available. I also believe I could improve the sharpness and realism of the product image and possibly refine the glow effect on the typography to make it more eye-catching.