I was tasked with concepting, designing, animating, and editing paid social content for Prom Queen, the latest installment in Netflix’s Fear Street franchise. I designed nostalgic, gore-inspired prom poster invites for an experiential pop-up event in Los Angeles, aiming to blend retro high school aesthetics with the film’s signature horror elements.
Software: Photoshop | After Effects
I aimed to capture the look and feel of a classic 80s high school prom poster, something that could realistically hang in a school hallway. The static design features playful elements to evoke a sense of excitement and nostalgia. The motion piece transforms the poster into an engaging animation with dramatic, horror-inspired visuals that align with the film’s bloody, suspenseful tone.
Software: Photoshop | After Effects
Building on the previously created assets, I animated and edited a recap video showcasing the full pop-up event experience.
Software: Photoshop
This project marked my first major opportunity to gain experience in art direction. I was responsible for developing and presenting four distinct concept directions for the Shadyside event invites. Each concept needed to be visually unique, playful, and rooted in the nostalgic aesthetic of 1980s design. Below are the concepts I created.
Look One: High School Poster
This treatment is inspired by the nostalgia of ‘80s high school prom flyers. We’ll use a monochromatic red look and a bold serif font to harken back to slasher films of the era — while tying it all back to that artistic, 80’s prom feel.
This treatment is inspired by the nostalgia of ‘80s high school prom flyers. We’ll use a monochromatic red look and a bold serif font to harken back to slasher films of the era — while tying it all back to that artistic, 80’s prom feel.
Design and Motion:
Playing with the concept of a flyer, a vintage Xerox scanner light moves up and down the page to reveal invite details. The graphic will deteriorate with each pass so that by the final pass, the poster’s fully transformed—torn, bloodied, and ominous.
Playing with the concept of a flyer, a vintage Xerox scanner light moves up and down the page to reveal invite details. The graphic will deteriorate with each pass so that by the final pass, the poster’s fully transformed—torn, bloodied, and ominous.
Look Two: 80’s Cassette Covers
Inspired by 80s cassette/mixtape culture, we’ll use the trailer’s dark rendition of “Heaven Is a Place on Earth,” along with creepy handwritten type to create a visceral visual and audio experience.
Inspired by 80s cassette/mixtape culture, we’ll use the trailer’s dark rendition of “Heaven Is a Place on Earth,” along with creepy handwritten type to create a visceral visual and audio experience.
Design and Motion:
We open on a cassette cover that reads “Will you go to prom with me?” The cover flips open, revealing the cassette spools spinning as the trailer version of “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” plays.
The screen glitches and flickers as invite details appear on screen. Suddenly, screams emerge as the cassette/video begins to play in reverse until we return back to the front cover of the cassette, now covered in blood.
We open on a cassette cover that reads “Will you go to prom with me?” The cover flips open, revealing the cassette spools spinning as the trailer version of “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” plays.
The screen glitches and flickers as invite details appear on screen. Suddenly, screams emerge as the cassette/video begins to play in reverse until we return back to the front cover of the cassette, now covered in blood.
Look Three: AV Club Videos
This look draws inspiration from 80’s school announcements, public access TV, and low-budget local commercials. The video will play out like a faux promo video created by Shadyside High’s student journalism team.
This look draws inspiration from 80’s school announcements, public access TV, and low-budget local commercials. The video will play out like a faux promo video created by Shadyside High’s student journalism team.
Design and Motion:
Our layout will mimic a paused VHS screen, with grain and static appearing over the image while prom details are laid out in graphic cards featuring bold 80’s stylings. The animation will incorporate lo-fi animations like spinning transitions and wipe-style edits to cut between event details and Easter eggs, while remaining true to the A/V club look and feel.
Our layout will mimic a paused VHS screen, with grain and static appearing over the image while prom details are laid out in graphic cards featuring bold 80’s stylings. The animation will incorporate lo-fi animations like spinning transitions and wipe-style edits to cut between event details and Easter eggs, while remaining true to the A/V club look and feel.
Look Four: 80s Fashion Editorial
This treatment takes on the classic 80’s editorial style to feature iconic prom elements like a tiara, a pair of shoes, and a disco ball before taking a bloody turn. We’ll juxtapose the beauty of these glitzy items with quick cuts into a chaotic, bloody, UV world.
Design and Motion:
Using a spotlight, objects and copy will be revealed into frame. We’ll see UV lights flicker jarringly, revealing blood splattered and “threatening” messages from the prom killer, challenging fans to attend.
Using a spotlight, objects and copy will be revealed into frame. We’ll see UV lights flicker jarringly, revealing blood splattered and “threatening” messages from the prom killer, challenging fans to attend.
