Before you is a design project I developed with a colleague—posters to announce the state examinations for students of the State Budgetary Educational Institution «LOKKiI.» The primary goal was to move away from standard concert poster templates and develop a unified visual system for two key events concluding the final academic year: the State Examination in Solo Singing and the State Examination in Ensemble Performance.
Although the overarching theme is musical, the events required different emotional tones: the first spotlights individuality and personal depth on stage, while the second emphasizes team energy and drive.
My objective was to create a diptych that maintains continuity and recognizability (a unified style) on one hand, while precisely conveying the character of each specific event on the other.
To design the poster for the performance major’s final exam, it was necessary to integrate fourteen student portraits, official event information, and the college logo onto a single layout while maintaining strong visual appeal and a contemporary aesthetic. A vinyl record was selected as the key design element, positioned at the top of the layout. It evokes associations with enduring classics and history, establishing a sense of discipline and nostalgia for the work completed. The composition is structured around the contrast between a dark «envelope» and a light background, which helps organize the information. The monochromatic nature of the portraits eliminates extraneous visual noise, compelling the viewer to focus on the faces and gazes. This cultivates an atmosphere of seriousness, concentration, and the unique creative identity of each artist.
Unlike the previous poster, this event focuses on ensemble performance. The main objective is to visually convey that this is not merely an association of individual students, but a unified creative mechanism. Instead of a strict grid, a radial layout was chosen. The circle is a universal symbol of team unity. It visually directs the viewer’s attention to the center—to the ensemble names—creating the impression that all participants are equal components of two collectives. The monochrome portraits enhance this feeling by eliminating visual clutter from color. Ensembles are about dynamics, rhythm, and interaction. The poster must communicate drive, youth, and a contemporary approach to music, avoiding excessive academic dryness. That is why I chose red—the color of boldness and energy.