'Gymnastics' Digital Posters on Instagram
Poster with Cast List
Poster with Feature List
Project Background
'Gymnastics' is a short film written by Nikki Buziak, directed by Nikki Buziak and Leo Fafard. The film has been, and continues to be, featured in a number of international film festivals, including the Golden State Film Festival and the Hollywood Gold Awards. The film is set in the early 1980s following Nikki, a 9-year old girl, who encounters a slippery situation involving a bully during a gymnastics routine.
Obstacle & Approach
The film needed two new poster designs for its social media platforms, combining the feel of a classic movie poster with a digital-age twist. Both designs needed to stay true to the film’s 80s aesthetic, while also being visually strong for online use. I worked within a strict colour palette, making sure key features like the four coloured stripes were emphasized. To add depth and authenticity, I layered a weathered texture across both posters.
The first poster required the inclusion of the main cast names ("Nikki" and the "Squad Girls" with Leo Fafard), while also highlighting the directors and director of photography (DOP). I pulled the font directly from the film’s title card to maintain brand consistency. To build a strong visual focus, I created an illustration of the main character, paying close attention to signature details like her red shorts. Early versions of the layout felt overcrowded, with the comprehensive cast list weighing down the design. Through iteration, I restructured the poster to create a stronger focal point between the character and title interaction. I also introduced colour pops for the directors' and DOP names, guiding the viewer’s eye across the poster and improving balance without losing emphasis.
For the second poster, with less text to manage, I decided to push the 80s reference further by designing it as a vintage floppy disk. Early drafts leaned too flat and clean, which did not quite capture the handmade feel I was aiming for. After testing different textures and treatments, I landed on using a handwritten font to increase the sense of authenticity while still ensuring legibility. I made sure to include the iconic 'Gymnastics' stripes here as well, tying the second poster back to the visual identity established in the first.
Summary
This poster project for Nikki Buziak’s 'Gymnastics' was an exciting one to take on. Drawing inspiration from 1980s design gave me a dynamic and playful visual range to explore. The final posters are now featured on the film’s official Instagram page: @gymnasticsfilm.
