Greetings to lovers of traveling through the pages of the Design Museum.
In any big city, no matter how beautiful and well-groomed it is, there will always be a block of old houses with dirty and peeling walls. Graffiti makes them more fun and bright.
Wall decor is not always interesting and often drawings appear despite the prohibitions of local authorities. But colorful and thematically interesting paintings remain in the memory of city residents for a long time and even attract tourists.
Let's start with America. This couple kisses on the street of New York. Carnival costumes, masks on faces. The guy is dressed as a sailor, and the girl is a cheerful Harlequin.
From them emanates a rainbow of romantic radiance, which decorated the end of the house with bright and rich colors and illuminated the entire block with celebration.
The signature on Kobra wall paintings can be found in other cities. A street artist with this pseudonym is known outside the country.
His works adorn the Berlin Wall in Germany. His graffiti can also be found in other countries. Cobra's works are characterized by high craftsmanship and philosophical meaning works
An unusual house looks at the world through the fingers in the V sign - victory and the silhouette of a person. Large pupil reflects female image, other smaller details.
Simple white drawing revived not only the facade, but made it lighter and interesting street in front of the house. The facial features are very accurately conveyed, part of which is visible, every detail and wrinkle on the fingers. The translucent silhouette of a man stands on the threshold, as if chained to the door leaf with a wide belt.
A kind of anti-art flash mob. The youth of New York decided to fill the drawing on the facade of the house with paint. They climbed onto the roof and poured paint on the wall, creating a kind of performance of their protest.
At the same time, they spoil the ivy that climbs up the wall in places, the residents’ windows, and the drawing of a rabbit that was drawn a long time ago.
Duet Polish artists Etam Cru placed its canvases throughout the city. More precisely most throughout the cities of Poland, but many paintings decorate the ends of multi-story buildings in other countries.
Most often this is neighboring Bulgaria and distant States. Sainer and Bezt have special equipment, in the form of towers, to create their masterpieces several floors up.
The theme of the street art created by the duo is interesting. There is a lot of humor and mysticism in the drawings, the influence of the East and folklore. Their characters often emanate sarcasm.
The girl loves birds, her Japanese hairstyle is topped with a birdhouse, and a bird in a hat sits on her finger. A peculiar symbol of the city's crazy environmentalists. But, in general, the picture looks beautiful and there is a lot of kindness in it.
Wall decoration with black and white paints. Near the entrance to the store, ferrets are stealing eggs. The animals look cheerful and happy. Their flexible bodies balance on thin ropes and deftly transfer their prey.
A green elephant and its colorfully dressed rider are flying on balloon. Most likely, they simply fall, since the elephant is trumpeting, and the guy closed his eyes in fear.
A cheerful painting adorns the windowless section of the façade. The Etam Cru duo does not paint over the background, allowing the characters to look brighter and more contrasty.
Residents of Valparaso made their own wall decor. But I was painting the steps a real artist. Each end depicts an oceanfront cityscape.
Even when hanging on a line, you can feel the laundry marine theme. It looks like signal flags.
Several types of art were mixed in the design of the staircase and the buildings near it. This is a traditional Chilean mosaic made of stones. A panel of steering wheels, dry branches and fresh flowers.
Ugly graffiti on the wall made by teenagers. And musical steps in the form of piano keys.
Santiago's street art is more colorful and filled with Chilean art. Red color creates the background. Along it are symbolic drawings for Indian tribes.
On the face is a half mask made of feathers and the image of eyes in the form of birds. Bright saturated colors, the use of contrast borders on kitsch.
A similar end is decorated with the map of Chile and its symbols. The country lies on a sombrero, a symbol of the sun. A guitar and a hot desert with cacti, colorful parrots and rectangles of houses in modern cities.
This wall in Mexico City was painted by fans of Unknown magazine, which for many decades published only fantasy stories and mysticism.
It was published in America, but was popular in all English-speaking countries. Creepy creatures, a mixture of animals and machines, were often described in its non-scientific pages.
This is how readers of the magazine saw an inhabitant of another planet. Wall decor in the style of Mexican fantasy.
Against the background of a semicircular wall of concrete and brown stone, a huge adder fights with rats. Black and white drawing transmits body voltage.
Every scale on the snake’s body is drawn. It can be seen from last bit of strength gray animals are fighting. The building became more interesting, but the artist did not make it more fun.
The Czechs have their own traditions in street art. A large, sad face looks out across the window into the street. The eyes are wide open and filled with surprise and curiosity.
Another sad man on the street. The most important thing is that they didn’t forget to lay the cardboard down. And the shoes were taken off in advance.
Philosophical drawing on the wall. The infinity sign and history repeating itself. We destroy and build, then tanks come again and construction equipment comes again. This kind of movement is eternal.
Thinking about life after or thinking about what will happen on the other side. Prague is beautiful and unique with its historical buildings, hotels, monuments.
Tourists are interested in exploring the city. The capital of the Czech Republic will not be able to attract them with wall paintings alone.
London loves to see surrealism on its walls. The British are considered conservatives, but they created many new trends in art; the miniskirt came out from the streets of the capital of Great Britain onto the catwalks.
Wall decoration mythical creatures traditional for the island. So this octopus got the head of an elephant. But such facades are much more attractive than Czech horror stories.
Pay attention to the volume of the pattern from colored blots and strokes. What sad and dreamy eyes. Artist a real master of your business. The girl simply captivates with her hidden beauty and naturalness.
The fox dozed off in a corner, hugging his tail. He was tired and sat down for a minute. This design adorns the iron gates in Bristol.
The sun walks across the blue sky, dives into the sea to rest and continues on its way again. That's exactly how I depicted it English artist change of day and night.
Brazil is known for its carnivals, bright colors, and spirited dancing all night long. Therefore, wall decor ideas include the entire palette of rich tones.
The artist draws a bird. The head is as if alive, the moist eyes reflect the light. The smooth beak shines. The feathers are soft and fluffy. From the sketch you can see that the bird will be crimson and cheerful.
Portrait of an old man in the traditional Sao Paulo style. The face and folded fingers seem to be sewn from colorful rags different shapes. Areas of contrasting color are located nearby.
It was as if the life of an elderly man was revealed in his image. Some are heavy and black, but many are light happy events. They all left their mark on the face and hands with wrinkles, calluses and gray hair.
This coughing cigarette lover and bubble-blowing fish adorn the storm drainage grates. This is how cheerful Brazilians decorate roadsides.
In Rio de Janeiro, a portrait of an elderly man is painted on the steps of a long staircase. It is black and white, but this kind of street art can also be found in a sunny country.
The most cheerful and colorful area of the city. Although its residents have a below-average standard of living and such houses are more often called slums. But the bright colors on the walls have transformed the facades, and living in such buildings is more pleasant, and sorrows recede.
The Parisian woman's eyes are full of love, romance, and hope. The artist did not use colored paints; they will only distract from the main thing, the emotions and feelings that can be seen in woman's mirror souls.
The old Soldovsky textile warehouse is located on Forigny Street in the capital of France. This is how old merchants advertise the quality of their goods. The sailors simply take each other's sheets. At the same time, it remains intact, because it is also strong.
A girl in a colored dream umbrella looks at the fish flying by. Beneath it are black and uninteresting real everyday life. People have closed themselves tightly, not letting hope and fairy tales into their lives.
Australia has its own culture and traditions. Therefore, the wall decor is different. Painting was added to Aboriginal drawings different nations who sailed to this distant continent. Everyone contributed, and an interesting, incomparable direction was formed, which reflects closeness with nature and local life.
The facade is decorated with real images, but they are somewhat unusual. Animals and people mixed together sea fish and bugs. The monkeys are depicted most realistically.
Only they significantly more girls and bird women. The seahorse is drawn in great detail; it flies ahead and shows the way.
The fact that such wall decor is unusual for Melbourne is evidenced by a lopsided fire hydrant. Apparently the driver was staring and ran into him.
The background for the green mantis is a pattern of fallen plaster. The red brick was covered with white paint and a three-dimensional transition was painted.
Then they planted smiling locusts on top. Beautiful and fun. On the door of the neighboring garage is a children's version of May the bee.
Portrait of a young aborigine in war paint. The boy went hunting.
The Germans are practical and great pedants. Therefore, they did not think for a long time and draw, but created a face from film and decorated the wall of the Berlin factory in the place where the pipe comes out of the building. Now the swimmer in the cap is sipping a cocktail.
A parody of an official, full of sarcasm. Business man constrained by time, because every minute counts for him. German punctuality is also added to the busyness.
The main thing is the watch and the dress code, so cuffed hands straighten the tie. The absence of a head does not interfere with the fulfillment of one’s duties and the instructions of one’s superiors.
The clock on the tower is turned into an eye that watches those around it.
Cape Town is located in a hot desert climate. And judging by the picture, zebras graze in large numbers in its vicinity.
Street art South Africa Using traditional techniques, it shows the unity of man and the animal world. After all, they are very similar in many ways, the only difference is in the face.
All you have to do is put on a mask and you become part of the wild. This is roughly how the artist expressed his thoughts.
On the wall there is a detailed depiction of a swan taking off in every detail. The flowing paint only emphasizes his connection with the earth and how difficult it is for him to break away and rise up.
A couple among flowering trees decorates the end of a Moscow house. The main colors of clothing are traditional for Russian costume. White, black and red. Although appearance the heroes of the picture are more like the inhabitants of the Baltic states. This wall design was created recently.
An old man looks out the window of an old house. The glass reflects the new high-rise buildings in Moscow. So sad and realistic picture on the blind part of the facade of the historical district of the capital.
Russian people, even if they do not go to church, remain Orthodox at heart. It is not surprising that the priest’s portrait decorated one of the walls.
Now we have moved to west bank Jordan River, to Bethlehem. On a fence topped with barbed wire, among the debris, a boy is drawn.
He is a symbol of local nature. The shirt is blue, with white clouds and a singing bird. And the legs are dressed in trousers made of iron pipes.
Another symbol of Pakistani life. The bird, a symbol of peace, wearing a bulletproof vest and at gunpoint, holds a green branch in its beak.
The wall decor in Istanbul is made in the national style. Two horsemen are fighting. The background is red and the warriors are drawn in brown tones.
The color of fire and blood symbolizes the valor and courage that the Turks showed in battles according to their legends. And under the horses’ hooves there are cars and construction debris, the reality of modern life.
This multi-colored motley staircase is also located in the historical district of Istanbul. The street leads to the top of the mountain and consists entirely of steps for its entire width.
In Bogota, the family decided to swim right in the square and at the same time decorate the walls of their houses. Two perpendicular ends turned into a picture. Instead of gray brick there is a blue sea and for some reason red-skinned people.
Original ideas for decorating a concrete bench for dates. Everyone has their place. The hat will think for everyone. And the lovers will just sit next to each other in silence.
A girl with a photo gun on the wall of the house amazed the boy with her camera. Such excellent and powerful optics will allow you to take clear pictures from a very long distance. And the lower part looks like a machine gun. Gorgeous real picture on a brick wall in Columbia.
In Argentina you can see paintings on the walls that are completely opposite in style. This realistic image swimming turtle.
Clumsy on land, they simply float in the water like birds in the sky. To give it the fantastic dimensions that sailors describe in their stories, the artist placed a man and a dog on the lower edge of the pipe.
This home wall decor is also in Buenos Aires. Only this is typical surrealism. It is impossible to determine exactly what is depicted.
Four men, against the backdrop of a motor ship and rainbow lights, walk along the passage. These are unique stages of human development and formation. Its ups and downs, confident movement along the road to achieving prosperity.
There are many old houses in Lisbon with bricked up windows. Local artists decided to decorate these dead facades. It's the shadow that creeps at night. She ran away from her master and began to lead a life of crime.
The bottom of the house is covered in teenage graffiti. But above, the crocodile has stuck its paws through the doorways and is looking for something above. Nearby is a cartoon character.
More and more more artists, sculptors, designers and others creative personalities pay attention in their works environmental problems and urge viewers to escape from virtual worlds and concrete jungle and return to nature. Trying to attract people's attention, authors come up with more and more unusual ways creativity. Take, for example, the Hungarian artist Edina Tokodi. The theme of nature is so close to her that she even creates graffiti from moss and plants!
Edina places her works on the walls and fences of New York's Brooklyn. Standing out against a backdrop of brick, steel, glass and stone, her work attracts the attention of passers-by and is very popular among city residents. Moreover, unlike museum exhibits Protected by glass and security systems, the works of Edina Tokodi can be touched and felt by anyone.
“I think we have become too disconnected from nature. City dwellers often have no relationship with animals or plants. My duty as an artist is to depict those objects that we lack in real life", says Edina.
One of latest works Edina is an installation where small sedum bushes are planted on a wooden base. The white stripes of the base and the green leaves of the plants together create an amazing composition that, from a distance, forms a portrait of a woman.
The artist always returns to the places where she left her drawings. Sometimes she corrects them, but mostly this is not required - the plants receive enough moisture and sunlight to exist independently. “From the moment I place them on the wall, they begin to live their own life", states Edina Tokodi.
You've probably seen large colorful graffiti pictures of various shapes, colors and shades on the walls of your city. Some people consider graffiti to be vandalism, others consider drawings on walls to be art. You can talk a lot about this topic, but you must agree, observe beautiful drawing, instead of a dirty, shabby wall it’s much nicer.
Pictures of graffiti photos
At the end of the article I have collected beautiful graffiti pictures photo different styles street art. But before that, I would like to tell you a little about graffiti.
Cave drawings ( cave painting), drawn 30 thousand years ago, can be considered graffiti. After all, graffiti is inscriptions, images or drawings applied to the wall. Nowadays, graffiti has become street art, and 30 thousand years ago primitive people painted in caves and ritual places.
Graffiti acquired its modern form in the early 1920s, and when aerosol paint appeared, spray art appeared. Homeland modern graffiti considered the city of Philadelphia. From early 1969 to 1974, graffiti developed rapidly. These years can be called revolutionary for graffiti. The center of the graffiti movement is moving to New York.
In his modern form, graffiti, like any other form of art, has many styles and trends. Graffiti is often used in advertising by major companies.
In the meantime, look at the pictures graffiti photo made on the streets by masters of this phenomenal art form, in which romance, danger, adrenaline, beauty and self-expression are intertwined.
Graffiti is often associated with vandalism, but in fact there is more art to it than you might imagine.
Technical skills, purpose, planning and the communication that happens with some of the most bright parts graffiti can be mind-blowing.
We've selected 50 of the most breathtaking examples of graffiti illustrations and studied them to come up with a couple useful lessons for designers of all levels - from beginners to experts.
1. Create a design that speaks for itself
Many graffiti artists use the medium to demonstrate their beliefs about the current state of society. And while a New York Times editorial outlining the government's failings might cause controversy, graffiti artists can make some noise with their drawings. The idea of using images to communicate anti-elitist views is as old as time, but the use of graffiti for this purpose only peaked in the late 20th century.
One of the most famous graffiti artists making waves is Banksy. Briton Banksy works in a style known as "stenciling" to make his works stand out from everyone else. Because he rarely comments on what he draws, the message is left open to interpretation. However, it's pretty clear that Banksy is demonstrating his understanding of flaws modern society, and uses his graffiti to speak louder than words for the messages he is trying to convey.
Each of Banksy's pieces makes you stop and take a second look. Some may even make you smile or nod in agreement (I definitely reacted that way, especially when I saw graffiti of a couple with phones!). You can use this to get inspiration for your work, even if it's not related to social issue. The design you create should be able to convey a message clearly and effectively, just like Banksy. Be sure to minimize the message you want to convey before you even begin. Focusing on what you want to say will ensure good foundation your design, and will convey this idea to the masses.
DESIGN TIP: And while you may not be as secretive and elusive as Banksy in your projects, it is possible to let your work speak for itself. Whether you're working on a logo, illustration, etc., make sure your message is louder and clearer in the images than in the words you use.
2. Communicate your message using typography
The core principle of both graphic design and graffiti art is communication. And although they may use different methods, both of these movements use similar means to convey something. Obviously, using text is the easiest way to do this. Canva Design School has an entire section dedicated to typography (this one is a great tutorial for beginners). The visual elements of typography present in graffiti can give the design the story it is trying to tell.
These two examples are the work of graffiti artist Royd, which use a futuristic theme in both image and text.
Your artwork doesn't have to be as futuristic or crazy as these, but using typography to convey your message can have a powerful impact if done right. Make sure that any typography you use is consistent with the design you are creating. Simply put, don’t try to combine incompatible things! Even if you love a certain style of typography, if it doesn't suit your message, it won't work.
Even the more traditional font is a completely new message through which the graffiti artist places lettering with a design around it.
If your heart isn't in a certain style of typography, you can stray away from the "traditional" message if you use colors and images like the image above. You'll need to get creative if you're mixing typography with images or designs that wouldn't normally go with it.
Typography in graffiti does not have to be bright colors or with a crazy design. Ben Johnston uses only black and White color to create branding for a design magazine.
DESIGN TIP: You don't always need pictures to get your point across. Using only typography as a way to convey your message can allow you to be minimalistic, futuristic, whatever you want.
3. Add energy to your design
Many people are amazed by how alive graffiti looks. In part, this quality of this type of art appeared due to the “underground” nature of the artists’ work. They have to work quickly and secretly, and this sense of haste is felt when looking at the results of their creativity. Often artists try to express themselves in their own graffiti, fueling their work with the energy of the subculture to which they themselves belong.
It may seem to many that Russ Mills, when creating portraits of women, adheres to a rather “rough” style. However, there is no doubt that when looking at his work one can feel the vibration emanating from each of the girls depicted.
Take this into account when you work on own designs; breathe life into them by spiritualizing some idea or brand. Graffiti artists are able to do this in a very short period of time, so feel free to use this technique in your design work when you are not strictly limited in time.
DESIGN TIP: If you want to attract a larger audience, add life to your designs. You can’t ignore the art, which is filled with frantic energy.
4. Add movement to your design
As with energy, movement in design forces the public to take notice of your work. Graffiti artist L7m brings incredible energy to each of his bird images by using bright colors and strokes.
Believe me, people who are capable of creating such energetic and living picture there is a lot to learn on a flat surface. To achieve the effect of movement, graffiti artists play with colors, size and style. Even if you don't have to design an entire wall, it can still help to pay attention to how they work with color and style. This will help breathe life into your own projects.
DESIGN TIP: To hook viewers, try to make your designs look like they're about to jump off the wall and turn out to be real objects.
5. Make your designs bigger
The first thing that comes to mind when someone talks about graffiti is a drawing that takes up the entire wall space (“right up” in graffiti lingo). And if an ordinary design is presented in an unusual size, the effect will be even stronger.
And even though the artist was not asked what his work meant, the meaning conveyed by this unusually large daisy is still clear to everyone.
The design may not be as simple as the daisy, but thanks to the scale this work, inspired by tribal motifs, has a more than impressive effect on the audience.
Even if the impressive size of graffiti is not exactly what you rely on in your work, these artists can still show you how playing with size and shape can influence perception. Maybe not on such a large scale, but look at your design from a different perspective, see what could be increased (or decreased) to create the effect of originality. By playing with the size of your typography or imagery, you can make your design much more noticeable and interesting to viewers.
DESIGN TIP: Whether your design is complex or simple, playing with size can help you turn something ordinary into something special.
6. Combine images and text for greater effect.
To create the British flag design (known as the Union Jack), graffiti artist Tilt decided to combine text with the national colors of Great Britain.
This technique cannot be used in absolutely every design, but sometimes it would be very useful to be able to do it. Viewers love it when there is some kind of catch or some detail in the design that makes the design not what it seems at first glance. In some projects, a combination of text and graphics will be appropriate, creating an “I’m a little confused” effect. This will grab the attention of your client or viewer and make them want to take a closer look at your design.
Another graffiti artist under the pseudonym C215 created a painting depicting a mother and child, literally embedding text into the graphics.
One of the most famous and at the same time most criticized combinations of text and graphics in graffiti is the logo of the 2012 Olympics in London. On the official summer logo Olympic Games in London, a font was used where the numbers 2012 were slightly recognizable, and the Olympic rings and the name of the city were placed on top of them. One magazine attempted to live up to the logo's reputation by suggesting that it was intended to "increase public awareness, impact on residents, and improve retention." However, one journalist branded it the worst font of 2010, and a June 2007 survey by the BBC found that 80% of those surveyed disapproved of the logo.
DESIGN TIP: All these combinations of text and graphics cause different reactions among the audience and become the subject of various discussions. However, they all prove that such combinations in design can make people speak up, which is a very important aspect for a graphic designer.
7. Incorporate cultural/ethnic influences into your design.
You can also use this technique when working with designs that reflect your own culture or a culture close to your clients. It doesn't have to be done on the same scale as in the graffiti below, where all the colors and patterns used convey the motifs of a particular culture. Of course, this may be necessary in some projects, but sometimes you can focus on just a few elements that are reminiscent of the cultural characteristics of your country or your client's homeland, and only lightly disperse them throughout your graffiti, for example, using a certain color scheme or patterns in the background.
However, not all graffiti contains images from centuries-old cultural past. It is quite possible to stumble upon quite modern and popular images.
For example, like in the graffiti below, where Yoda and Alien are cutely walking hand in hand.
In America you can often find the image of Audrey Hepburn. For example, this artist decided in his graffiti to combine a portrait of Hepburn with his own invented color schemes.
The influence of pop culture is so great that today everyone has something to learn from graffiti artists. People feel a sense of belonging when they recognize and understand designs created from their own social or cultural experiences. You can get closer to your audience or client if you occasionally reach out to this technique which will allow you to connect graphic design and pop culture elements.
In graffiti there are even such famous personalities modernity like Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld, whose images seem both bright and mysterious.
DESIGN TIP: Being graphic designer, you can create a regular design and add cultural and ethnic elements to it for a greater impact on the viewer. This will allow you to see how visual communication works in different society, allowing you to understand what your designs are missing.
8. Use graffiti in branding and corporate identity
As we have seen, many companies and organizations use graffiti style and techniques to create unique logos and branding that can make them stand out from the crowd.
Although, as I said before, the London Olympics logo was not warmly received by people, it was still dynamic, unusual, and stood out from the logos that came before it.
And even designers at sportswear giants like Nike have realized that graffiti has a big impact on branding. The Perfect Game baseball bat they released is not only unique, I would call it a real work of art.
Of course, it is obvious that it will not be possible to use the graffiti style for branding of absolutely any company. There will always be clients for whose projects this style would simply be inappropriate. However, although not on the same scale, you can still rely on the work of graffiti artists - for example, when working with text or color scheme brand.
Last but not least, what is the best way to play your own business and engage the very “subculture” that you are technically working against? Why not try a graffiti style entrance to your office?
DESIGN TIP: Whether you're working for your own brand or fulfilling a client's commission, sometimes using graffiti techniques can be an ace in helping you set your brand apart from the rest.
Even if you have a million traditional design techniques at your fingertips, stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something different can help you expand your own repertoire. Although graffiti art may not be the most sophisticated, its presence in your projects can diversify your designs and take them to the next level.
