Charles Gibson’s involvement with the Hopkins Center Graphic Design Studio spanned two decades– as assistant designer under Mark Friedman from 1972-1974 and as design director from 1979-1987. Responsibilities included: design and implementation of season brochures; posters for the performing arts, film society, and Artist-in-Residence Program; print advertising; lobby/kiosk displays; fundraising pieces; and special projects. Prior to the opening of the Hood Museum of Art in 1985, Charles Gibson also designed invitations, posters, and exhibition catalogs for the Center’s galleries.

All of the images in this selection of posters were constructed with traditional drawing tools: T-square, triangles, French curves, compass, circle templates, and Plaka. These techniques produce hard-edge forms that are especially well-adapted to the limitations and opportunities of the photosilkscreen medium. Typically, the “drawing” process interfaces directly with the preparation of separations as each Rubylith is cut by hand. Concepts that exploit constructed forms are also ready-made for generation in computer-based drawing applications such as Adobe Illustrator.