1950s-Inspired Car Banner
The Vintage Car Club had a unique challenge: create a banner that felt like it had been pulled straight out of the 1950s with equal parts attitude, nostalgia, and craftsmanship. Inspired by the golden age of hot rods and the hand-painted sign art of mid-century America. Its witty and iconic, something that could hang proudly at meets and shows, turning heads with both humor and style. Drawing from Las Vegas imagery, WWII nose art, and classic hot rod symbolism. This banner celebrates the charm and brotherhood of gearheads.
Client: Vintage Car Club
Project Year: 2024
Role: Concept, Research, Illustration, Typography
Deliverables: Final banner design (digitally and physical), supporting concept visuals.
Collaborators: Fabricland (cloth banner), Michaels (paint).View PDF References.
Challenge
Create an identity and artwork that authentically reflects 1950s car culture while avoiding clichés. Adjusted layouts to balance imagery and typography, ultimately angling the type above the image for stronger impact.
Strategy
Drew on post–WWII car culture and hot rod history to shape a believable 1950s narrative. Used period-appropriate colors, typefaces, and signage-inspired elements, blending Las Vegas-style graphics with hot rod aesthetics.
Take Aways
Learned to research a genre and visually reflect a historical period. Gained experience translating digital designs to full-scale hand-painted artwork, balancing layout, typography, and color to suit the design’s direction and feel.
