The designers were charged with finding a subject matter that was personal and relevant to them. From there, the challenge was to present content in a way that engaged the audience. The brief allowed the designers to take creative liberties, so finding the right message and conveying it with authenticity was key.

The Say Something Poster Project is an American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) sponsored poster design competition and gallery show created to give designers the opportunity to “say something” that will inspire, motivate and educate young adults between the ages of 15 to 25 years old. Designers are free to choose the subject matter — environmental, economical, political, personal, etc. — however, the successful poster must focus on the “Why” or the “How” behind an idea and turn it into a teaching moment. The message is expected to be presented in such a way that it is understood and appreciated by the target audience.

Each of the designers took a unique approach to arriving at the final design. In “Dust,” the designer wanted to convey hope in the most hopeless of situations, and used chalk to illustrate the message. In “Smile,” the designer showed that an optimistic attitude can help guide you through any circumstance. In “Follow Your Inner Moonlight,” the designer quoted Allen Ginsberg to encourage the audience to be themselves. In “Knowledge and Humility,” the designer inspired people to make learning an eternal process.

Hundreds of posters were submitted for the competition, and the four presented here were selected among the top 25 designs received and displayed in a public gallery. Two of the designs finished in the top 10, and are now on permanent display at the Boys & Girls Club of Boston where they’ll inspire and motivate young audiences for years to come.f