100 Days of Posters / Day 051 of 100

Day 51: Visual Metaphor

Say one thing by showing another.

Chapter
06 Concept & Meaning
Level
Intermediate
Time
45–60 minutes
Canvas
1080 × 1350 px

The principle

A visual metaphor communicates an idea by showing something else that shares its qualities. A melting clock suggests time slipping away; a key suggests access or solution. Metaphors let posters say complex things quickly, and they invite the viewer to complete the thought.

Objective. Communicate an abstract idea through a visual metaphor.

The brief

Design a poster for a talk titled “The Cost of Attention” using a single visual metaphor.

Required information

  • THE COST OF ATTENTION
  • A public talk
  • Your own date and venue

Constraints

  • One central metaphor
  • Avoid literal images of phones or screens
  • Maximum three colours

You're done when

  • A clear, original metaphor
  • Minimal, focused execution
  • Title and image reinforce each other

Stretch goal

Write down twenty possible metaphors before designing anything.