Research Studios

Public Enemies

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UK Billboard Posters*

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Research Studios has designed the custom typeface ‘New Deal’ and created the title cards for Michael Mann’s new summer blockbuster, Public Enemies.

Public Enemies, an adaptation of Bryan Burroughs non-fiction book by the same name, is set during the American Great Depression and tells the story of FBI agent Melvin Purvis’ attempt to catch notorious criminals John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd. The film stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard.

Having already worked on previous Michael Mann titles, Heat and The Insider (new post on film titles coming soon), we continued in the tradition of our collaborations and designed a bespoke typeface for the film and posters. The references for the project were diverse: from New Deal graphics to the curves and forms of stream trains, car and architecture of the period. Our graphic references also came, in part, from the associated promotional work program posters, some of which were put together by the WPA (Works Progress Administration).

The typeface is deliberately naive in its design, reflecting the typography in the posters of the era. The Wolfsonian in Florida has a vast collection of New Deal era work who assisted us in our research.

Creative Review Blog feature >

Guardian Guide feature, 28/06/09 >

Read the interview on the Visual Mente blog >

Visit the Public Enemies site >
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