top of page

Buster Moon trilogy

This poster trilogy comes from wanting to create chaotic science fiction scenes with a sense of other-wordly adventure. I wanted to play with an old school movie poster style, having the characters as the focus and experiment with classic composition techniques.

I have a deep love for all things science fiction. And as a designer I am a bit obsessed with science fiction art. Be it movie posters, paperback book artwork, old school VHS box artwork, you name it! So I wanted to create a trilogy of posters based around a science fiction setting. My favorite thing about these kinds of posters is that you can have absolutely no context about the story but still enjoy the art work. That is what I wanted to try and experiment with in these designs. I am quite happy with how they turned out.

Overview / Motivation

The Buster Moon Trilogy is a self-initiated passion project inspired by my long-standing love for classic sci-fi movie posters — the kind that blend imagination, drama, and bold visual storytelling. I wanted to create a cohesive series that felt like it belonged squarely in that vintage sci-fi universe: atmospheric colour palettes, dynamic compositions, and characters that felt otherworldly yet believable.


More than anything, this project was a chance to let my imagination run wild and explore surreal sci-fi concepts without limitations.


Creative Goals

For this trilogy, my aims were to:

  • Capture the aesthetic and energy of classic science fiction film posters

  • Build a unified visual world across three pieces using consistent colour schemes and design language

  • Develop characters with more realistic, anatomically correct silhouettes

  • Experiment with lighting, texture, and composition to create cinematic depth

  • Explore bold sci-fi imagery — from strange planets to unconventional creatures and technology


I wanted each poster to feel like a standalone story, while still fitting into a cohesive trilogy.

Process


Research & Inspiration

I immersed myself in iconic sci-fi poster art — from retro pulp covers to 70s and 80s film artwork. I paid attention to dramatic lighting, exaggerated contrast, and the balance between realism and surrealism that defines the genre. This helped set the tone and visual language for the trilogy.


Concept Sketching & World Building
I started by sketching rough silhouettes and narrative ideas for each poster: mysterious landscapes, strange cosmic phenomena, and characters with a grounded yet futuristic presence. I pushed myself to design figures that felt anatomically correct, giving them a sense of realism even in fantastical settings.

Style & Colour Development
Because this was intended as a series, consistency was key. I crafted a shared colour palette — rich shadows, bold highlights, atmospheric gradients — which tied the trilogy together. This unified aesthetic reinforced the idea that all three pieces belonged to the same imagined sci-fi universe.

Rendering & Texture
Each poster received detailed rendering, including layered lighting, subtle grain textures, and carefully shaped silhouettes. I aimed for a balance of sharp definition and painterly atmosphere, mirroring the tactile feel of vintage posters.

Series Cohesion
Throughout the process, I revisited all three pieces side-by-side to make sure the shapes, tones, and visual rhythm aligned. The trilogy grew stronger as the shared design language emerged organically through iteration.


Outcome

The Buster Moon Trilogy is a cohesive set of sci-fi posters that blend retro influences with modern illustration techniques. The series features bold world-building, consistent atmosphere, and realistic character silhouettes, all working together to create a cinematic narrative feel.

It stands as a tribute to the sci-fi visuals that inspired me growing up, while allowing me to explore new stylistic approaches and push my illustration skills further.


What I Learned / Personal Impact

  • Working in a series pushes consistency, discipline, and visual storytelling

  • Anatomically grounded characters can elevate the realism of fantastical scenes

  • Sci-fi concepts thrive on bold colour and dramatic lighting

  • Retro poster influences bring a sense of nostalgia and energy to modern digital work

  • Passion projects create valuable space for experimentation with world-building and cinematic composition


The Buster Moon Trilogy became a rewarding exploration of style, narrative, and imagination — and one of my favourite personal projects.

bottom of page