The Birds, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, 1963. Created using gouache on hot-press paper, 11” x 14”. This is an assignment for my masters degree program University of Hartford Illustration MFA. We were prompted to create a Critereon Collection cover for a movie of our choice, using the style and medium of an illustrator from the Illustration in Context series (Illustration History) class we took. I chose the illustrator Edward McKnight Kauffer. Kauffer is best known for his London Underground posters, which he created between 1915 and 1940. I love the simplicity of his graphic shapes, color choices, and composition. I find myself being drawn more to bold modernist design influenced by cubism and futurism, like the works of Kauffer and his peers. I chose the film The Birds because I love Hitchcock, and it continues with my theme of California and Bay Area illustrations. The Birds not only mentions Santa Cruz, CA, where I live, but it takes us through San Francisco all the way to Bodega Bay. Hitchcock himself lived in Scotts Valley, which is located in Santa Cruz County. It was really fun and challenging to work traditionally again. I hope to make more pieces like this in the future.
