The 1983 Detroit Grand Prix II poster was designed by Joseph E. Grey II. This poster is proof that graphic design can express the excitement surrounding an event while also representing the city it is taking place in. The Grand Prix was an event based in Detroit, Michigan that involved Formula One cars racing through downtown Detroit[1]. Grey used very bold colors and an image representing what this event was about. Through the use of color and the structure of his design choices, this poster expresses motion, and intensity.
When looking at this poster it immediately draws in anyone’s attention. It’s eye catching and bright, and the type of thing that you would stop to glance at when walking down the street. The high contrast, saturated tones and use of geometrical shapes are being used to show the energy that comes from the annual Formula One race. The way this poster was laid out was to reflect the race. When you look at it your eyes can’t just focus on one thing, reflecting speed and movement similar to the cars racing through the streets of downtown Detroit. The typography fits in with the design nicely, because it isn’t a standard, “boring” typography, it has some elements to it that flow with the boldness of the poster itself.
The design also reflects on what was popular during the 1980’s. The 80’s decade was known for the use of bright colors, geometric shapes, and graphic patterns, not only in the clothing and hairstyle choices, but in the design world as well.[1] The branching off of modernism into postmodernism was widely shown in the 80’s and Grey showed that off when making this poster. It is not trying to be subtle or blend into every other advertisement on the street. It wants to be shown off and stand out to make an impact and bring publicity to the event. The fact that it was on trend with the shift in design during the 80’s also makes it memorable.
The connection to the Detroit area is the most important aspect of this piece of artwork. Detroit has always been known as the “Motor City” due to its large role in the automotive business[2], which is why the Grand Prix was such a highlighted event. The use of the Formula One car obviously shows what the event is about, but the Detroit skyline can also be seen in the reflection from the windshield of the car, which is a really creative element of the city to tie in with the poster. When analyzing this poster, it gives off a fast and powerful energy, which enhances how Detroit was viewed during this time.
Overall, this poster was an amazing way to represent the Detroit Grand Prix for 1983 and all of the elements that were used created a strong advertisement for the event. It gives you a feel for what the event is like, and how it feels to attend, without even being there which is one of the most important factors of an advertisement like this. All of the choices that Grey made such as the bright color palette and bold shapes, are perfect examples of how graphic design can be used as a form of movement, rather than just something nice to look at.
[1] (Fonseca) https://medium.com/@yeniahf/design-revisited-the-1980s-59892fe2276e
[2] (“How Detroit Earned Its Nickname “the Motor City””) https://strategyproperties.com/how-detroit-earned-its-nickname-the-motor-city/
[1] (“Detroit Grand Prix”) https://www.detroithistorical.org/learn/online-research/encyclopedia-of-detroit/detroit-grand-prix
