November 2008

The graphic design of the Obama campaign has just been sick…always on target, great looking, incredibly easy to get the message, and even hip when it needed to be. Add to that all the unofficial campaign artwork and the visuals succeeded in carrying politics into counter culture and back again. Shepard Fairey’s iconic Obama posters contributed greatly to that movement.

Although I’m very happy the election is finally over and the transition to a change in government has officially begun, I have to admit that from the perspective of a graphic designer, I will miss seeing Obama’s consistent campaign continue to unfold, evolve and inspire.

Apparently MoveOn.org realized that many people might feel the way I do. Shepard Fairey designed a follow-up poster to his original HOPE/CHANGE/PROGRESS versions that encapsulate both the win and the message. Looking modern and classic all at once, Shepard Fairey’s poster inspired the Obama masses to get out their wallets one more time.

There were a total of 5000 posters printed and hand numbered. Some undisclosed percentage of those numbered posters were also signed. MoveOn members could buy the basic unsigned poster for $90 ($80 plus shipping), or they could upgrade by adding Shepard Fairey’s signature for another $420 ($500 total plus shipping). I had decided I would just by the $80 version and then carry it around with me until I somehow ran into Shepard Fairey myself, thrusting the poster in his face and asking him for his autograph.

Unfortunately, the posters all sold out (signed and unsigned) before I got a chance to get to my computer. I guess I’ll just have to wait til Obama gets his puppy and Fairey does an iconic portrait of it. I hope it’s a pitbull with lipstick.