I was challenged to create a fictitious film festival around a specific director and to design the elements for that festival using a visual system.
Design Brief
Director Biography
Born in 1958, Tim Burton is a movie director and producer from California. He has worked with Disney and independently. He attended California Institute of Arts (CalArts), where his work gained the attention of Walt Disney Productions. He started an apprenticeship at the studio shortly after his graduation. Burton enjoys drawing, painting, and photography. He carries around a notebook and small watercolor set with him.
Burton has always been drawn to characters who were misunderstood or "outsiders." He had an obsession with Vincent Price, an American actor, writing and directing a stop motion short film called Vincent in 1982. The short film is about a young boy who wants to become Vincent Price so much that he eventually begins to go mad.
Tim Burton is known for his mixture of fantasy and horror. His films tend to have an "outsider" protagonist, who is usually an outcast misunderstood by the people or society around them. His characters frequently have bad relationships with their fathers. According to IMDb, Burton's films "often have a Gothic feel to them, often including Christmas and/or Halloween scenes." His movies either have a lot of color or no color. Burton frequently uses Danny Elfin as his composer in his films.
Movies Directed
1985 Pee-wee's Big Adventure
1988 Beetlejuice
1989 Batman
1990 Edward Scissorhands
1994 Ed Wood
1996 Mars Attacks!
1999 Sleepy Hollow
2001 Planet of the Apes
2003 Big Fish
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2005 Corpse Bride
2007 Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
2010 Alice in Wonderland
2012 Dark Shadows
2012 Frankenweenie
2014 Big Eyes
2016 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
2019 Dumbo
Other Works
1971 The Island of Doctor Agor
1971 Prehistoric Caveman
1971 Houdini: The Untold Story
1972 Tim's Dreams
1974 1997
1979 Doctor of Doom
1979 Stalk of the Celery Monster
1979 King and Octopus Animation
1982 Luau
1982 Vincent
1983 Hansel and Gretel
1984 Frankenweenie
1986 Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1986 Faerie Tale Theatre
1994 A Visit with Vincent
2000 The World of Stainboy
2006 Cinema16: American Short Films
2006 The Killers: Bones
2012 The Killers: Here with Me
2020 Chelsea Grin: Blind Kings
2022 Wednesday
Festival History
The festival occurs in the 65th year of Tim Burton's life as a filmmaker, director, and producer. The film festival highlights the outsiders in Burton's films, specifically those parts misunderstood by others.
Audience
This film festival will target individuals between 15 and 30 years old, whose favorite holiday is Halloween and grew up watching Burton's films.
Festival Filmography
The seven films below form a body of work unified in misfit characters, contrasting dark and fantastic tones, and strong emotional messages. Each film is a successful stand-alone, and highlights Tim Burton's artistic style and skill.
1990 Edward Scissorhands
1999 Sleepy Hollow
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2005 Corpse Bride
2010 Alice in Wonderland
2012 Frankenweenie
2016 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Positioning
The festival is about the quirky characters and horror-like atmosphere Tim Burton creates in his films. The audience will be interested in this festival because they love the spooky aspects of Tim Burton's movies, in line with his more unrealistic horrific fantasy. This festival is the first of its kind.
Festival Name/Theme
The angle of this festival showcases how the fantastic is, for some, interwoven with our reality. This idea is based on the following quote by Tim Burton:
"One person's craziness is another's reality."
The films chosen are focused on outcasts, and how Burton's experience with feeling like an outcast (and, subsequently, a misfit) seeps into his films.
Location and Dates
This film festival takes place October 27-29, 2023, in Lexington, Virginia.
Additional Events
Attendees have the opportunity to walk through a haunted house, take carriage rides, attempt to solve movie-themed escape rooms, view stop motion demonstrations, visit a collection of Tim Burton's art, and meet Tim Burton at a live Q&A session.
Mood Board
I don’t do scary movies. It’s not that I can’t, it’s just that I don’t really like to. However, I wanted to create something that would pull me out of my element as a designer.
I was drawn to Tim Burton’s clever twists on horror and death, using the two to create both suspenseful and touching films. He does more than direct movies about misfits; he tells their stories. Although he did not direct it, Burton wrote and produced The Nightmare Before Christmas, one of my brother’s favorite movies.
Logo Ideation
The logo of this Tim Burton film festival is meant to reflect Burton’s simultaneously horrific and fantastical movie themes. Three potential titles were explored: Misfit Visions, Visions Unveiled, and Illusions of Reality.
Final Logo and Variations
The final choice on title was Misfit Visions, reflecting Burton’s personal experience feeling like a misfit, as well as his tendency to direct films with misfits. The eye in the “O” ties in the subtitle: “Behind the Eyes of Tim Burton.”
Variations without the subtitle are utilized on smaller items.
Business System
The festival's colors are based on the monochromatic palette from Burton's Corpse Bride (2005). The accented red is from Alice in Wonderland (2010), also directed by Tim Burton. Red is for accent only and is used sparingly in festival designs. The business card is slightly transparent, showing red through the front of the vertical design.
Deliverables
Directional Sign
Environmental Ad
Poster
Poster
Danny Elfman Vinyl, Front
Danny Elfman Vinyl, Back
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory DVD & Digipak
Alice in Wonderland DVD & Digipak
Corpse Bride DVD & Digipak
Sleepy Hollow DVD & Digipak
Ms. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children DVD & Digipak
Frankenweenie DVD & Digipak
Edward Scissorhands DVD & Digipak
Welcome Banner
Environmental Signage
Team Lanyard, Front and Back
VIP Lanyard, Front and Back
Press and Staff Lanyards, Front
Edward Scissorhands Tickets
Sleepy Hollow Tickets
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tickets
Alice in Wonderland and Corpse Bride Tickets, Back
Alice in Wonderland and Corpse Bride Tickets, Front
Uniform
The uniforms are based on the overcoat look of Ichabod Crane from Sleepy Hollow (1999). The overcoats are dark navy blue with red stitching and a white collared shirt underneath. Shoes are red, and female staff can choose between heels or flats. Pants and skirts are black.
All staff have a name tag on the left side of their chest. The coats have large pockets to carry items the staff may need.
Pocket Schedule
This schedule is designed to fit with the lanyard or in a standard pocket. It includes festival events, times, and locations. A short list of guidelines is also provided to festival-goers.
Sock Label
VIP festival attendees receive a black and white pair of socks, which are reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands' black and white aesthetic.
Deck of Cards
A full deck of playing cards, based on Alice in Wonderland (2010) are included. These cards showcase scenes of major characters. The opposing suits (black and red) in the deck reflect the opposing powers from the film. The scenes are blurred to echo Misfit Visions.
Environmental Signage
A billboard in Charlottesville, an hour from the festival location, and a welcome sign for on-site use.
Sheet Music
An exclusive addition for VIP attendees: a copy of Victor's Piano Solo from Corpse Bride (2005). This music was written by Danny Elfman, who composes most of Tim Burton's film soundtracks.
Chocolate Bar
With a golden ticket inside, this creamy milk chocolate bar echoes the candy cravings from Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005).
Herbal Tea
In Sleepy Hollow (1990), Katrina casts a spell over medicine for Ichabod. The spell cast is, "In media nos laudamus," and is derived from a Christian hymn "Te Drum laudamus." It's meaning: "We are in the midst of praise."
Frankenweenie Magic Mug
When cold, this mug shows a blurry vision of Frankenweenie's grave. When it's filled with coffee, tea, or another hot liquid, an image of Frankenweenie and his friends, as well as the Misfit Visions logo, becomes clear.
Website & App
