The design for the fourth annual event originated with John McKelvy. In addition to his work as a motion and graphic designer, John is an accomplished bluegrass and old-time musician (and Lord of the Rings enthusiast), who had been a member of the band at the three previous dances.
He handed off to me this fiddling Gandalf and a swirling psychedelic background. After prototyping with several dozen 60s-inspired fonts (and an attempt at drawing the type by hand), I landed on Psych Handlettering by Mott Jordan and Mysterylab.
My desire for legibility exceeded my interest in period authenticity (as is often the case), so I withheld from introducing additional distortion or stylization to the letterforms.
The final poster catches eyes and communicates its message from all the way across the room.
