DISCUSSION

Alternative Stories

Coinciding with #PrideMonth, illustrator Aistė Stancikaitė has launched an exciting new collaborative project, teaming up with three design studios — iWant Design, Polytechnic and Chris Clarke — to celebrate three films exploring gender, sexuality and self expression, stories otherwise largely untold in mainstream film.

The series reimagines three film posters in a thoughtful and collaborative way, examining the themes and moods prevalent in the stories and cinematography. Aiste’s skilfully crafted and hyperreal style of illustration is paired with carefully considered typographic design in response to the films, the process in many ways different to the usual illustration commissioning dynamic between designer and illustrator. The result is a product of true creative collaboration, with different approaches and perspectives coming together to create something unexpected.

The films have been selected because of the stories they tell relating to LGBTQI+ experiences, and their focus on inclusivity and diversity. Every decision made was influenced heavily by the themes and mood of the films, from typeface to composition and texture.

Working collaboratively pushes me to put my individualist approach aside, to leave my usual comfort zone and make more compromises. It’s a really positive challenge though.

– Aiste Stancikaite

Call Me By Your Name, in collaboration with Chris Clarke

A 2017 film directed by Luca Guadagnino based on André Aciman’s coming-of-age love story between a precocious teenage boy and an older man, set in Northern Italy in the 1980’s.

Aiste and I both connected really early on a focused approach around the references to Italian renaissance sculpture that we felt saturated a large number of the cinematography.

– Chris Clarke

Paris is Burning, in collaboration with Polytechnic

A documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston chronicling the ball culture of New York City in the late 1980’s, and the LGBTQI+ communities involved in it.

There’s a moment when Corey comments, “Everyone couldn’t be a Las Vagas showgirl, so they made categories for everybody; that’s what made the balls change… so that everyone that goes to one of these affairs can participate.” It was this generosity and inclusivity that drew us to the film.

– Polytechnic

The Danish Girl, in collaboration with iWant Design

A 2015 film based on the novel by David Ebershoff, inspired by Danish painter Lili Elbe who was one of the first known people to have undergone sex reassignment surgery.

John at iWant created an original type merging sans serif and serif that is a subtle reflection on the themes of the film.

– Aiste Stancikaite

The project is an opportunity to explore a collaborative process between designer and illustrator, as well as a chance to soak up and spotlight the stories being told in a thoughtful way.

www.grandmatter.com/aistestancikaite
@aiste_stancikaite
www.cclarke.cc
www.polytechnic.works
www.iwantdesign.com

Contact