Basler Design

Continuing the poster series—we're now up to 1997-98. In 1997 Photoshop had matured to version 4. While the app is hardly comparable to what we use for editing today, it also hardly compared to previous versions (and that's a good thing) which were very slow and limited in features.

The images on this piece were once again shot by John C. Thomas. I cannot recall whether these were digital shots or film. My guess is that these were still shot on film.

Once again we took advantage of every new feature that the software offered. Even still, many things were a challenge. One of the more complex features of this design was placing the players inside and/or behind the various steel cages. John's skill in knowing what we needed and how best to go about things helped a bunch. For example, the player group on the left "bench" was shot in the studio at the correct camera angle and distance. The players were actually sitting on a platform with their legs dangling while leaning against a fixed bar.

It's also worth noting the new KRNA logo! This continues to be one of my favorite radio station logos, with a tagline I am also proud of: 94.1 IOWANAROCK.

My son Sam will be a sophomore at the University of Iowa. He recently found a stash of rolled posters in the Basler Design print archive. He was intrigued enough with what he found to ask if he could have some of the (now vintage) KRNA, Iowa Basketball posters for his bare-walled living space. I said, "Of course, pick out the one's you want." He did not pick this one.
By now you are onto the formula behind these. 1. Pick a current trend—today we call it viral. 2. Add a really cheesy wordplay headline such as "Hawkarena" (Hey, we're not proud). And 3. Call in the players and dance team to spoof the video (as seen on M TV). This poster was also shot by my comrade John C. Thomas—this time with zero Photoshop trickery.
I present to you, Hawkarena, circa 1996-97. https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/macarena-bayside-boys-remix/1516523066