Three Pianos: A Concert Poster Design
Andrew McMahon announced a once-in-a-lifetime concert featuring his three legendary bands—Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. The event, named “Three Pianos,” would take place at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, uniting fans of all three musical eras in a celebration of Andrew’s career and artistic evolution. Management sought a poster that could capture the gravity of this event while visually reflecting McMahon’s musical legacy and connection to his fans.
The Problem
With such a monumental event, the poster needed to achieve several goals:
1. Represent Andrew McMahon’s journey across his three bands, highlighting their distinct yet interconnected identities.
2. Reflect the venue’s unique natural beauty, as Red Rocks is a key part of the event’s narrative.
3. Stand out as a collectible piece that fans would cherish while also serving as a strong promotional tool for the event.
The Creative Direction
From the beginning, the creative vision centered on blending Andrew’s piano-driven artistry with the surreal majesty of Red Rocks. This meant creating a design that was emotionally evocative, musically inspired, and visually bold. The concepts explored themes of reflection, nostalgia, and connection while maintaining a strong focus on artistic integrity.
The Design Process
1. Concept Development:
A presentation deck was created to explore multiple design directions, all tied to the theme of “Three Pianos.” Key elements included a pianist at the forefront, the Red Rocks formations, and surreal imagery to represent Andrew’s musical journey.
2. Refinements:
After reviewing initial concepts with Andrew’s management team, we refined the design to ensure a harmonious balance between artistic flair and clear messaging. Subsequent decks integrated the feedback while enhancing key elements like typography and visual flow.
The Final Design
The final artwork features:
• Central Imagery: A lone pianist, representing Andrew McMahon, sits at his piano, playing against the dramatic Red Rocks backdrop at sunset.
• Symbolism: A cascading piano keyboard leads from the foreground into the frame, symbolizing the shared musical journey of Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.
• Typography: The band names and event details are integrated into the composition using bold, nostalgic typography, ensuring clarity while maintaining visual impact.
• Color Palette: Vibrant, warm tones contrast with deep blues and purples, creating a striking, emotional aesthetic.
The Results
Although this project remained promotional, it captured the essence of Andrew McMahon’s career and generated significant excitement among fans. The design successfully balanced artistic expression with clear event communication, making it a standout piece in both digital and physical formats.
The “Three Pianos” poster stands as an example of how thoughtful, purpose-driven design can elevate an event into a story that resonates deeply with its audience.
