graphic design in movies
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Design & Storytelling
Design & Storytelling
For a Motion Graphics class, I had an assignment
to watch The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Part of the task was to analyze not only the visual storytelling but also the film’s design.
to watch The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Part of the task was to analyze not only the visual storytelling but also the film’s design.
the photo is used for educational purpose, 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'; Image Credit: Fox Searchlight Productions
Graphic design for film involves creating the visual elements that appear within a movie — such as graphic props and set pieces that actors interact with on set. This includes anything featuring calligraphy, lettering, patterns, or text, and often anything made of paper. It can range from something as simple as a small handwritten note to something as complex as a full newspaper.
Before this assignment, it hadn’t occurred to me that graphic designers work in the film industry creating props. One possible reason is that I haven’t seen enough movies. Another is that graphic design in film is almost invisible — it blends so naturally into the story that you don’t notice it. However, in The Grand Budapest Hotel, the design takes center stage. I’m so grateful to this movie for opening my eyes; since then, I get genuinely excited every time I recognize good design in a film.
I knew the film had been highly praised and had won several Oscars in 2014, but until now, I hadn’t seen any of Wes Anderson’s movies. I was genuinely surprised by the richness of the story, the production design, and the complexity behind its execution. Wes Anderson is known for his distinctive visual style and storytelling approach, where every detail contributes to the narrative.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is a perfect example — a film where design takes the spotlight and every frame feels like a meticulously composed, symmetrical painting.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is a perfect example — a film where design takes the spotlight and every frame feels like a meticulously composed, symmetrical painting.
About the Design
In The Grand Budapest Hotel the design is crucial. It appears in almost every scene in the form of small signs, a newspaper magazine, a note, a map… It is like a guideline. The graphic designer behind this world is Annie Atkins. She worked together with a small team, & Adam Stockhausen for the production of all materials that you see on the set made (books, newspapers, signs, letters, writings, passports, maps, signs, names, packaging of Mendl’s.)
What I learned from listening to Annie Atkins’ talks is that the way to design for film is by looking for references from real events, people and places. On the set the designer has a responsibility to language — correct spelling, grammar, etc. Because there is no person to watch out for the designer’s mistakes. It is advisable to double-check everything.
I think this applies to everything, not just to design on Set.
I think this applies to everything, not just to design on Set.
Visual Storytelling
The story is separated in 4 timelines starting from the most present days going back to 1930s in the imaginary Republic of Zubrowka. Each timeline is marked by its own color palette and follows the story of a character. It is told as a story within a story, the more they go back, the more the past seems idealised.
The Timeline
1
Republica Zubrowka, present
1st Timeline:
Beginning of movies starts in the cemeterary where a girl goes to commemorate the author of the book 'The grand Budapest Hotel'.
Beginning of movies starts in the cemeterary where a girl goes to commemorate the author of the book 'The grand Budapest Hotel'.
2
Author of the Book, 1985
2nd Timeline:
Author of the book.
Author of the book.
3
Author’s Memories, 1968
3rd Timeline:
How the author met the owner of
‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’,
n called Zero, in 1968.
How the author met the owner of
‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’,
n called Zero, in 1968.
4
Youth of Zero, 1932
4th Timeline:
Through the eyes of Zero we learn about his youthful years in the hotel where he worked as a lobby boy for M.Gustave, the first owner, this is where he met Agatha, the love of his life.
Through the eyes of Zero we learn about his youthful years in the hotel where he worked as a lobby boy for M.Gustave, the first owner, this is where he met Agatha, the love of his life.
The movie explores themes like tragedy, war, fascism, nostalgia, friendship, loyalty, and love.
Regarding the photography, the wide-angle lens combined with symmetrical center framed shots, and the use of straight lines, help organise the symmetry, and create a movement that directs our eyes in the scenes.
There is a sense of forced perspective, as if we are looking at something that has the illusion of depth rather than actually possessing it, this adds to the feeling of theatricality, extensive tracking shots display. In each of the 4 timelines the temperature of color is different, this reinforces the feeling of a peculiar Anderson universe.
Regarding the photography, the wide-angle lens combined with symmetrical center framed shots, and the use of straight lines, help organise the symmetry, and create a movement that directs our eyes in the scenes.
There is a sense of forced perspective, as if we are looking at something that has the illusion of depth rather than actually possessing it, this adds to the feeling of theatricality, extensive tracking shots display. In each of the 4 timelines the temperature of color is different, this reinforces the feeling of a peculiar Anderson universe.
Have you seen this movie? What are your thoughts about it? Have you noticed the typography, the design? Have you seen other movies by Wes Anderson? I would be happy to hear your opinion and talk about this more. Don’t be shy, send me a message!
read next
photos made by during the visit
https://www.etymonline.com/word/art ; https://en.museuberardo.pt ; https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-definition-of-art-182707 ; https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/conceptual-art/language-and-art/; https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/c/conceptual-art