Bow Down
Poster Triptych
Photoshop • 2025
This triptych examines the different forces people willingly submit to in modern culture. Possessions attention and greed each become a symbol of what society elevates to a near-worshipped status. The series questions why these values hold such influence and asks the viewer to consider what they themselves bow down to.
Set The Mood
The mood draws from propaganda art, classical symbols, and modern celebrity culture. The mix of pillars, luxury cues, and worship crowds connects old reverence to new obsession. The tone stays bold and direct to match the themes of influence and control.
Sketch Phase
The early sketches explored different directions about dependence and influence. Concepts included Trapped Inside a Screen, Bow Down, and Worked to Death. Bow Down became the strongest option because of its clarity, structure, and visual balance.
Typeface Selection
Arpona – Bold
Previous Options
Source Serif Variable, FreightDisp Pro
Typeface Study
Arpona Bold was chosen for its sharp serifs and strong form. It adds authority and anchors the layout without overpowering the imagery.
Color Selection
Red-Orange, Near Black, Cream
Color Study
The palette uses red-orange, near black, and cream to create contrast and hierarchy. Red-orange brings urgency, black adds weight, and cream softens the tone for balance.
Cream
HEX #F3E6C8
RGB 243, 230, 200
CMYK 0, 5, 18, 5
Near Black
HEX #0C0C0C
RGB 12, 12, 12
CMYK 0, 0, 0, 95
Red-Orange
HEX #E34B29
RGB 227, 63, 41
CMYK 0, 72, 82, 11
First Drafts
The first digital drafts stayed close to the sketches. Each poster kept the same composition to focus on the central object and the figures below. The early versions used heavier bursts and darker tones to test contrast before moving toward a cleaner direction.
Refinement
Refinement focused on clarity and readability. I removed the bursts behind the text, adjusted the callout area, and sharpened the money-bag details. A light texture was added to tie the pieces together and give the set a polished finish.
Final Designs
The final series brings all adjustments together into one cohesive set. Each poster carries the same tone and weight while highlighting its own subject. The added texture helps ground the imagery and gives the triptych a strong, unified finish.