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National Theatre Posters

National Theatre Posters

Wolfson Gallery, National Theatre
Until 14 April 2018

An exhibition curated by design critic and writer Rick Poynor, exploring poster design from 1963 to the present.

Curated by Rick Poynor, Professor of Design and Visual Culture at the University of Reading, this exhibition explores the evolution of poster design at the National Theatre, showcasing many classic examples. From 1963 to the present day, each art director led the theatre’s graphic design studio in creating images for posters, programmes and now digital artwork. The exhibition features posters designed by Ken Briggs, Richard Bird, Michael Mayhew, Charlotte Wilkinson and current Creative Director Ollie Winser and the Graphic Design team.

The exhibition will include original posters, interviews with past and current Art or Creative Directors and will trace the changes in process, design and function over the past 50 years.

An accompanying book National Theatre Posters: A Design History published by Unit Editions is available from the National Theatre Bookshop and online.

Bespoke art prints of National Theatre posters are available to order online, posting worldwide.

The exhibition is accompanied by a programme of related events:

Exhibition Insight with curator Rick Poynor
27 January, 12.30 - 1.30pm, Wolfson Gallery, £3
A walk around the current exhibition with curator Rick Poynor, please meet in the Wolfson Gallery.

Art Directors at the National Theatre
28 February, 7-8pm, Cottesloe Room, £7/5
A discussion on the changing format for graphic design at the NT chaired by Rick Poynor involving current Creative Director of the Graphic Design Studio Ollie Winser and two previous art directors; Michael Mayhew and Charlotte Wilkinson.


Curator Rick Poynor
Rick Poynor is a writer, critic, lecturer and curator, specialising in design, photography and visual culture. He founded Eye, co-founded Design Observer, and contributes columns to Eye and Print. He is Professor of Design and Visual Culture at the University of Reading in the UK.

Posters Exhibition | Which is the favourite?

We met with past Art Directors and the current Creative Director to hear about their favourite posters in the exhibition.

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Posters Exhibition | Behind The Deep Blue Sea Poster

We speak to Emilie Chen, Senior Designer in our Graphic Design Studio, about how she designed the poster for The Deep Blue Sea, which now features in our Posters Exhibition.

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Posters Exhibition | Behind the LOVE poster

We speak to Louise Richardson, Senior Graphic Designer in our Graphic Design Studio, about how she designed the poster for LOVE, which now features in our Posters Exhibition.

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