Posterize is a best-of selection of screen-printed posters (and nothing else). To celebrate Hitchcock, the master of suspense, dive into a thrilling collection of 19 tributes by artists from around the world: Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, and France.
Alfred Hitchcock mastered the art of storytelling and suspense like no one else. But did you know that, in the 1920s, he started out by writing and drawing intertitles for Famous Players-Lasky, the future Paramount? From his early days in silent cinema, he inherited a valuable legacy: an expressive language where the image speaks for itself, from camera angles to the meticulous attention to set design. For Hitchcock, every element in the frame tells a story! He even invented a unique zoom effect, famously used in Vertigo, to replicate the psychological sensation of vertigo.
Later, as a director, Hitchcock took full control of the communication surrounding his films. For Psycho (1960), he even went so far as to ban entry once the film had started — a master of suspense all the way to the cinema lobby! On the signs at the entrance, one could read: “We won’t allow you to cheat yourself! You must see Psycho from beginning to end to enjoy it fully. Therefore, do not expect to be admitted into the theatre after the start of each performance of the picture. We say no one – and we mean no one – not even the manager’s brother, the President of the United States, or the Queen of England (God bless her)!”. Hitchcock also took charge of the artistic direction of his film posters, imposing a graphic style defined by minimalism, dramatic perspectives, bold framing, and the use of striking typography. Throughout his career, he collaborated with exceptional artists and designers, including Saul Bass (Vertigo, Psycho, North by Northwest) and Bill Gold (Dial M for Murder). Each of them, in their own way, managed to capture attention, reveal the drama, and enhance the atmosphere of his films, helping to shape a visual signature that became iconic in the history of cinema.
“I am a man of ideas. I only film what I have thought out, calculated, analyzed.” (Hitchcock/Truffaut, 1966)
Hitchcock didn’t just tell stories — he created an entirely new visual language. The spiral from Vertigo, the ominous flock in The Birds, the knife in Psycho — all became instantly iconic symbols. So did his characters, brought to life by Grace Kelly, Kim Novak, Tippi Hedren, Janet Leigh, James Stewart, Cary Grant, or Anthony Perkins. Even when reduced to stylized shapes or simple silhouettes, they remain unmistakable — evoking, in an instant, the elegance, atmosphere, and tension that define Hitchcock’s cinematic world.
The peak of Hitchcock’s career is marked by a run of masterpieces, beginning with Rear Window (1954), followed by Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), Psycho (1960), and The Birds (1963). To reinterpret this visual legacy and offer a fresh take on Hitchcock’s classics, here is a collection of 19 alternative posters, screen printed and infused with the same image-driven obsession that defined the master himself. As seen in the works by Gary Pullin and Perillo, if Hitchcock has become a visual brand in his own right, it’s no surprise that his silhouette — or simply his shadow — has come to symbolize it.
The Art of Cinemato-Graphic Vertigo
It all begins with Saul Bass and his iconic poster for Vertigo. In 1957, Hitchcock embarked on an intense collaboration with this pioneer of the modern title sequence. And what if Saul’s genius lay in his ability to echo the music? Bernard Herrmann’s score blends seamlessly with the moving elliptical shapes, creating an obsessive and hypnotic atmosphere.
“I was leafing through some books in a bargain bin in a bookstore on Third Avenue. I came upon one book and was stunned by some magnificent images. They were the work of Jules Antoine Lissajous, a French mathematician of the late 19th century.” (Saul Bass)
Fascinated by the complex curves and spirals drawn by pendulums, Saul Bass set out to build his own machine — the precursor to the Spirograph. A true fetish object, the device would remain on his desk for over thirty years. Meanwhile, Alfred Hitchcock, a fan of graphic design since his adolescence, discovered Bass’s work in the Graphis magazine in 1955. By the time he called on Bass for Vertigo, the designer had already crafted the title sequences for fourteen films. That’s when the spark ignited: Saul realized how to use his spirals to visually convey the vertiginous psychological effect of the film
“The Main poster also encapsulates the sensation of vertigo by having a couple sucked into a vortex. The slightly off-kilter, irregular capitals further hint at the vertiginous. The figures were drawn by Art Goodman, who recalled Saul specifying and sketching out a black silhouette for the man and a light outline, like an apparition, for the woman of his obsessions.” (Jennifer Bass & Pat Kirkham A life in film and design)
For Vertigo, no original screenprints have ever been authenticated. However, Saul Bass had around twenty film posters printed as late as the 1980s by the Art Krebs Screen Studio in Los Angeles. Produced in limited editions – ranging from 50 to 150 copies – these screenprints are now exceptionally rare. Bass never intended to sell them: they were usually meant for exhibitions or given as gifts.
The Birds by Adam Simpson (2011, England) / 2 screenprints (regular in grey, 250 copies and variant in 150 copies, size 24 x 36″)
Adam Simpson is a British artist and illustrator based in London. He works on personal projects as well as commissions for the press, advertising, and publishing (The Folio Society, Laurence King Publishing). His work has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the V&A Illustration Awards and ADC Young Guns. The poster was designed in 2011 for the BAFTA Awards ceremony, but the official version of this poster was produced in 2016 for Mondo/Universal and printed as a screenprint. In a different style, he also created a series of posters for the films Rear Window, Vertigo, and The 39 Steps.
“I was drawn to the attic scene, as it always resonates with me the most. It embodies the suspense, confusion and the chaos of the movie.” (Adam Simpson)
Rear Window by Gary Pullin (2019, Canada) / 2 screenprints, 4 colors (regular in 225 copies and variant in red, 125 copies, size 18 x 24″)
Gary Pullin, known as Ghoulish Gary, is a Canadian artist recognized in the world of horror and pop culture. A former art director for Rue Morgue magazine, he is now an independent illustrator, specializing in rock posters (Jack White, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath), vinyl covers, and alternative movie posters with a nostalgic focus on 1980s and 1990s horror films (Possession, Return of the Living Dead, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, etc.).
Vertigo by Matthew Woodson (2019, USA) / screenprint edition of 275 copies (size 18 x 24″)
Matthew Woodson‘s work is acclaimed for his movie posters and editorial projects. Based in Austin, Texas, the American illustrator collaborates with international clients across various fields, from advertising to comics. Among his most notable creations are alternative posters for cult films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Drive, Jurassic Park, Solaris, and Bullitt. With his distinctive style, he captures the essence of each work, freezing the emotion at the very heart of the action.
Psycho by Phantom City Creative (2019, USA) / 2/3 color screenprints (regular red in 225 copies + variant in yellow in 125 copies, size 18 x 24″)
Phantom City Creative is the Canadian studio (Toronto) of Justin Erickson and Page Reynolds, founded on Friday, March 13th (it couldn’t be more fitting!). Their bold approach and perfect mastery of color have established them as references in the world of graphic design. Their colorful, realistic, and sometimes minimalist style can be seen in numerous posters for film, television, and music. Among their most notable works are posters for classics like Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park, Alien, and many more.
Vertigo by Laurent Durieux (2012, Belgium) / 2 screenprints (regular 375 copies + variant in green 175 copies, size 24 x 36″)
North by northwest by Laurent Durieux (2016, Belgium) / 2 screenprints (regular 275 copies + variant in green 75 copies, size 24 x 36″)
Laurent Durieux is a Brussels-based illustrator and graphic designer who became famous for his Jaws screenprint, which caught the attention of director Steven Spielberg. He was named one of the 200 best illustrators in the world by the international magazine Lürzer’s Archive. Laurent’s style is characterized by remarkable richness, great attention to detail, and a deep passion for screen printing and classic films, for which he has created numerous alternative posters. Laurent Durieux designed this American poster for the Texas-based publisher Mondo, for a screening of Vertigo at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. He also paid further tribute to Hitchcock with his posters for The Birds, Psycho, and To Catch a Thief.
“Hitchcock is probably my favourite director of all time, I grew up watching Hitch’s movies and also I am a huge fan of both Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart. I have always been attracted by those movies, especially the ones from the 50’s and the 60’s. It probably has to do with the way movies were being done, the colours, the fashion, the photography. I don’t get the same pleasure when I watch Alfred Hitchcock’s latest movies (Topaz, Frenzy and Family Plot). I am a nostalgic for the ‘30s-’40s-’50s.” (Laurent Durieux, Hindustantimes, 2015)
Vertigo by Jonathan Burton (2016, France) / 2 screenprints with 10 colors including metallic inks (regular edition of 225 copies + variant edition of 125 copies, size 24 x 36″) / Rear Window by Jonathan Burton (2017) / 2 screenprints with 9 colors (regular edition of 300 copies + variant edition of 150 copies, size 24 x 36″).
Jonathan Burton is arguably one of the best illustrators working today. Originally from England, he now lives in Bordeaux, France. His work, characterized by its fine detail and great realism, is simply spectacular. His passion for retro themes and movie posters has led him to create numerous cover illustrations for books published by The Folio Society, including 1984 and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. He has also designed posters for iconic classics such as E.T., Invisible Man, Citizen Kane, King Kong, Frankenstein, Dracula, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, A Trip to the Moon, and more.
Rear Window by Nick Lacke (2017, USA) / 2-color screenprint edition of 50 copies (size 18 x 24″)
Based in Chicago (USA), Nick Lacke creates artworks and printed objects influenced by comics, cinema, politics, and travel. His clean, minimalist style is expressed both in his portrait series and in this screenprint, which simply recreates the iconic set of the film, populated by the many characters observed by James Stewart throughout the plot.
Vertigo by Kevin Tong (2017, USA) / 2 screenprints on metallic paper (regular in green, 250 copies + variant in blue, 125 copies, size 24 x 36″) / Psycho by Kevin Tong (2014) / 6-color screenprint, edition of 350 copies (size 24 x 36″)
Kevin Tong is a freelance illustrator based in Austin, Texas, USA. He started his career in the underground illustration scene before gaining recognition for his limited-edition screenprinted posters, often inspired by films, video games, and book covers. Since 2005, he has combined the use of vibrant colors with striking and captivating compositions. However, it was only in 2012 that he gained widespread fame with his alternative poster for The Bride of Frankenstein at the Universal Monsters exhibition at the Mondo Gallery.
“It’s always great to do posters for an Alfred Hitchcock film. His directorial style, clear themes, and striking visuals provide so much to work with. The graveyard scene is superb and heavily foreshadowing, but often gets overlooked in favor of other moments from the film so I wanted the poster to embody that, as well as the striking use of color Hitchcock employs throughout Vertigo. I don’t have much more to say other than Vertigo is a masterpiece and I’m thrilled to have been able to make a small contribution to its monolithic cultural presence.” (Kevin Tong)
Psycho by David Seidman (2014, USA) / screenprint with glossy red ink Artist Proof edition of 15 copies (size 24 x 36″)
In a world that is both dark and fantastical, American illustrator David Seidman, originally from Philadelphia (USA), began his career in the early 2000s working on graphic novels such as Se7en, The Straw Men, and Grimm Fairy Tales for Zenescope Entertainment. He also creates book covers for Penguin Books. Through his surreal and pictorial works, he explores the fascinating beauty of the horror universe.
Psycho by Melvin Mago (2019, France) / 4-color screenprint with fluorescent ink, edition of 165 copies (size 11.8 x 24″)
Here is a poster I’ve already featured in a previous episode of Posterize, it was impossible not to include it in this selection dedicated to Hitchcock! Melvin Mago is a French illustrator based in La Rochelle, France. It was Ken Taylor’s Halloween poster that introduced him to the world of alternative posters in 2012. After studying graphic design and working as a web and motion designer, he decided to pursue what combined his two passions: illustration and cinema. His first official poster was released in late 2018, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Halloween, followed by a series of screenprints, including The Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars) and Mad Max. His meticulous illustrations stand out for their dark and powerful compositions.
Shadow of a Doubt by Alan Hynes (2012, USA) / 2-color screenprint with metallic ink, edition of 145 copies (size 24 x 36″)
Alan Hynes is a graphic designer originally from Dublin (Ireland) and based in San Francisco (USA). He made a name for himself in the skateboarding industry, developing brands and designing products for giants such as Spitfire, Real, Antihero, as well as for several professional skateboarders. Much of his time is dedicated to creating screenprinted concert posters for musical artists like Jack White, Sigur Ros, and Primus, as well as movie posters. This Shadow of a Doubt poster was part of the Martin Scorsese Film Foundation series at the Alamo Drafthouse (Texas, USA).
Rear Window by Katherine Lam (2021, USA) / 2 screenprints with 10 colors (regular edition of 140 copies + yellow variant edition of 60 copies, sizes 16 x 24″ and 24 x 36″)
Katherine Lam is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York (USA). Her works have been published in 3×3, Society of Illustrators, AI-AP, Communication Arts, Applied Arts, and Creative Quarterly. Her work, often inspired by architecture, is distinguished by the subtle use of shadow and light, creating cinematic atmospheres filled with melancholy.
The Birds by Ken Taylor (2016, Australia) / 2 screenprints edited to 325 copies (regular + grey variant, size 24 x 36″)
Ken Taylor is a renowned illustrator and designer based in Melbourne, Australia. He has designed album covers for numerous Australian bands, including You Am I, The Beasts, Bourbon, and Crowded House, as well as concert posters for Queens of the Stone Age, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, Kings of Leon, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones. With his unique retro and graphic style, he gained recognition for his limited edition screenprinted movie posters, particularly for Mondo. These creations have now become highly sought-after pieces among collectors and fans of cinema and music worldwide.
Rear Window by Patrik Svensson (2023, Sweden) / 2 screenprints (regular edition of 100 copies + yellow variant edition of 50 copies, size 24 x 36″)
Patrik Svensson is a Swedish illustrator and graphic designer based in Gothenburg. His creations have appeared in numerous publications, advertising, on wine bottles, in hotels, on Broadway show posters, and on the covers of many books. His style, both pictorial, naive, and elegant, reflects his passion for nature and Scandinavian culture.
Psycho by Chris Koehler (2023, USA) / 2 screenprints, 5 colors (regular edition of 100 copies + metallic paper variant of 50 copies, size 24 x 36″).
Chris Koehler is an award-winning illustrator and artist from San Francisco (USA), specializing in movie posters, editorial illustration, and comics. He has worked for Universal Pictures, Marvel Studios, Penguin Random House, Tor, Pentel Arts, Disney, Popular Science, and has contributed extensively to The New York Times. His realistic illustrations have great depth, with a particular focus on shadow and color. This poster for the film Psycho was released for the San Diego Comic-Con.
The Master of Suspense by Dave Perillo (2012, USA) / 3-color screenprint edition of 60 copies (24 x 36″)
Dave Perillo created the poster for the The Master of Suspense exhibition. This illustrator based in Philadelphia (USA) has developed a graphic universe and a retro style inspired by the aesthetics of Walt Disney cartoons, Hanna-Barbera, as well as 1950s science fiction films. He has also created posters on themes related to video games and comics, where his very colorful and cartoon-style universe works wonders.
Read also:
Posterize #9 : film, science-fiction et fantasy
Posterize #8 : les sérigraphies monstres !
Posterize #7 : les sérigraphies de Blade Runner
© Stéphane Constant – avril 2025
