Image via Complex Original
With Super Bowl XLVIII fast approaching, we decided to take a look back at the previous Super Bowl posters leading up to this exciting event. Some of these pieces are true icons of graphic design, while others are just…well just not as bad as the others. It appears as if when the game started, the powers that be saw the poster as a true advertisement of this much anticipated event, but as the years went on, the posters started losing their luster and with that their impact.
In 1968, when the first Super Bowl saw its initial kick off, the graphics for the event were an emotional and handmade tribute to the players and teams that made the day so special. Today, we see Photoshopped trophies and stark imagery showcasing the glitzy outcome instead of the glorious event. Take a look back at The 20 Best Designed Super Bowl Posters.
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20. Super Bowl XXXIII, 1999
Location: Miami
We start our list off with an homage to Miami. Hidden behind alligators, flamingos and a conquistador is the coveted Vince Lombardi trophy. The poster does a good job of taking high-brow illustration and marrying it with a pop culture sport, like football, all while keeping things sophisticated.
19. Super Bowl XXIV, 1990
Location: New Orleans
New Orleans is one of the more popular locations for Super Bowls. This 1990 poster captures the energy of the city and shows how it is setting the stage for this iconic game.
18. Super Bowl XVIII, 1984
Location: Tampa, Fla.
Talk about including everything but the kitchen sink. The poster for Super Bowl XVIII is one of the most city-centric on our list. With parrots, flamingos, tropical plants and pirate ships, this poster really make the viewer feel as if they're enjoying the sunshine state.
17. Super Bowl XX, 1986
Location: New Orleans
The plainest poster of all on our list, this Super Bowl XX poster just highlights the Vince Lombardi trophy, which works on the level that it's what the game is about. It's sleek and to the point.
16. Super Bowl XXXIV, 2000
Location: Atlanta
This poster presents a beautiful illustration of elements of the host city and elements of the game. By combining them together, the poster is highlighting the marriage of the host city with the game, instead of focusing on one or the other.
15. Super Bowl XIII, 1979
Location: Miami
The neon colors' exaggerated view and bright marquee-esque typography are all very in-step with the art of the time. Although the poster is dated now, it still is a very fresh take on the perspective and subject matter.
14. Super Bowl XXVIII, 1994
Location: Atlanta
This is another poster that focuses on the host city instead of the game. The beautifully illustrated poster combines vintage sign typography with a utopian view of Atlanta, Georgia. The warm colors and attention to detail make this poster cozy and inviting, a departure from traditional football posters.
13. Super Bowl XLV, 2011
Location: Arlington, Texas
Probably the most austere of all the posters on our list, this piece for the 2011 XLV game is really an homage to the stadium itself and its place in the much anticipated game, more than it is about the teams or the players.
12. Super Bowl XXXVII, 2003
Location: San Diego
The XXXVIII game in 2003 was hosted by San Diego, Calif. The poster for this event captures the warmth, vibrancy, and allure of the So Cal city while imparting just a bit of the game.
11. Super Bowl IX, 1975
Location: New Orleans
Instead of just focusing on football or the trophy, the poster for Super Bowl IX artfully fuses elements of the host city—jazz, music, riverboats, and the New Orleans skyline—with images of the game.
10. Super Bowl VI, 1972
Location: New Orleans
Photography can really capture feelings that other mediums can't. In this poster for the Super Bowl VI, a variety of teams are showcased. The memorabilia strewn around the coveted award suggests all that lead up to that day.
9. Super Bowl XLIV, 2010
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla.
One of only a few contemporary posters on our list, this poster for the 2010 game is actually a great representation of a tastefully done trophy image. The shallow depth of field and out-of-focus background help elevate the trophy to a more sophisticated level.
8. Super Bowl XVII, 1983
Location: Pasadena, Calif.
The '80s were a distinctive time for art and design. The opulence of the decade, coupled with the regrettable pastel pallets, could only lead to a poster like this 1983 one. This poster was one of the first to introduce the Vince Lombardi trophy front and center. Unlike more recent graphics, the sometimes garish award actually looks at home with the bright neon lights and bold marquee of the Rose Bowl sign.
7. Super Bowl V, 1971
Location: Miami
This poster for Super Bowl V captures the energy and reality of the fans of football. By creating a figure out of clay and photographing it with very high contrast, the designer gave the subject matter a sense of urgency and purpose that an illustration just wouldn't deliver.
6. Super Bowl I, 1967
Location: Los Angeles
The first Super Bowl set the stage for years to come. Unfortunately, not all subsequent posters have lived up to a predecessor like this one. The Super Bowl I poster captures the rugged, raw intensity of the players. It focuses on the game and the people instead of the trophy, which is refreshing.
5. Super Bowl VIII, 1974
Location: Houston
Leave it to Texas to really brand their poster. This Super Bowl poster is both luxurious yet rugged, capturing the essence and culture of the host city along with the importance and reverence of football in the Lone Star State.
4. Super Bowl III, 1969
Location: Miami
Super Bowl III's poster is clean while still being dynamic. The white background and bold typography allow the photo-realistic illustrations to be the centerpiece and create a sophisticated juxtaposition.
3. Super Bowl VII, 1973
Location: Los Angeles
The Super Bowl VII poster captures the style of the era. The neon colors, transparent overlays, and bulbous San Serif type add excitement and a twist of pop culture to this game's poster.
2. Super Bowl IV, 1970
Location: New Orleans
This poster for Super Bowl IV is bright, energetic, and dynamic. The overlaying of football and cultural figures melds the game with its host city, drawing similarities between the energy and vibrancy of both.
1. Super Bowl II, 1968
Location: Miami
This 1968 poster for Super Bowl II is the strongest contender for the best poster title. With its graphic imagery, hand drawn and painted figures, and bold, vibrant colors, this poster captures the excitement and vibrancy of the game.