Tom Jung, a legendary figure in the realm of film poster design, has left an incredible mark on the industry with a career spanning several decades. He received his education at the esteemed School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Initially starting as a freelance illustrator and art director for prominent advertising agencies in New York, Jung established himself in the realm of motion picture advertising, collaborating with major studios like Allied Artists, MGM, Columbia, and Paramount. His expertise led him to become an advertising consultant for Cinema Center Films before eventually joining the boutique advertising firm Smollen, Smith, and Connelly.
Jung's career took a significant turn when he joined the advertising department of the prestigious film studio Warner Bros. in the early 1960s. This began his prolific and influential career as a film poster designer. He quickly gained recognition for his ability to distill the essence of a film into a single, compelling image, setting the stage for his future iconic creations.
One of Jung's most celebrated works is the poster for the 1977 film "Star Wars." His design, featuring a heroic Luke Skywalker holding a lightsaber aloft, captures George Lucas's space opera's epic scope and adventurous spirit. The poster played a crucial role in generating excitement and anticipation for the film, contributing to the cultural phenomenon that "Star Wars" would become. Another poster that he has made for theatrical release is “The Man Who Would be King,” following the emphasis on the actors in a traditional medium. The dynamic heads with the trailing people below, and then the landscape next to them creates a triangle composition that lets the viewer be trapped in the composition for a moment. All of his work allows the negative space to breathe below, but—just with these two posters—the emphasis is different in the posters. The featured actors have different body copy sizes, and the color treatment is also different.
Finally, Jung's style is characterized by a combination of illustrative precision and a keen understanding of film narratives. His posters often employ a rich color palette, dynamic composition, and meticulous attention to detail. Whether working on science fiction, drama, or adventure films, Jung's ability to encapsulate the mood and theme of a movie in a single image became a hallmark of his illustrious career.
