For the poster titled I Am the Buffalo, I was commissioned by the client to capture the essence of this wild, energetic, and somewhat chaotic film. The client wanted a vintage yet quirky vibe that would resonate with the humor and outlandishness of the movie, which centers around two characters on an out-of-control adventure. The overall tone of the film combines elements of comedy, action, and an absurd sense of fun, and the poster needed to reflect this chaotic energy in a way that felt both dynamic and memorable.
The core idea for the poster came from a concept centered around a journey gone awry. The buffalo cloud in the background serves as both a metaphorical and visual symbol of strength, determination, and the uncontrollable nature of the adventure. The old red truck is the main focus, showcasing the characters’ frantic expressions, which perfectly encapsulate the mood of the film. The motion of the truck hurtling forward, with papers flying out of the windows and a trash can getting swept along the road, adds a comedic touch and enhances the chaotic momentum.
The buffalo motif in the cloud is key to the story’s thematic elements of strength and resilience, even when faced with absurd situations. The client loved the idea of the buffalo being a literal "force of nature" following the characters throughout their adventure, and it was important to incorporate that as a dominant figure in the sky.
To bring this concept to life, I started by sketching various ideas with the truck in motion, exploring different perspectives that would best express the urgency and humor of the scene. Once I found the right composition, I began illustrating digitally, using vibrant oranges and reds to create the fiery, dramatic sky, which contrasts with the details of the truck and characters.
The expressions on the characters' faces were central to conveying the tone of the film, so I spent a good amount of time making sure their reactions were exaggerated and over-the-top. I also had to play around with the composition to ensure that the buffalo in the clouds wasn’t too overpowering, but still maintained a strong presence.
One of the main challenges was blending humor with a sense of action without overdoing it. Since the film itself has elements of absurdity, it was essential that the poster didn't take itself too seriously while still remaining visually cohesive. Striking that balance between chaos and control was tricky, especially when incorporating elements like the flying trash can and the characters’ exaggerated movements.
Additionally, integrating the buffalo shape within the clouds presented its own difficulties. I wanted the buffalo to be recognizable but not so defined that it looked out of place or too literal. It needed to have an abstract, almost mythic quality that looms over the characters, hinting at the thematic undertone of their journey.
The main focus of the poster is the chaotic energy of the scene, with the buffalo cloud providing a subtle but impactful layer of symbolism. The truck, characters, and action in the foreground are meant to immediately grab the audience’s attention, while the warm color palette enhances the wild, almost reckless nature of the story. Expressions is central to this design, especially in the characters’ expressions and the chaotic details.
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