100 Days of Posters / Day 004 of 100

Day 4: One Edge

Everything hangs from a single alignment.

Chapter
01 Foundations
Level
Beginner
Time
30–45 minutes
Canvas
1080 × 1350 px

The principle

Alignment is the invisible line that connects elements. When text and shapes share an edge, they feel related, even if they are far apart. Centred alignment feels formal and static; a strong flush-left edge feels modern and readable. Mixing alignments without a reason is one of the fastest ways to make a design look unsure of itself.

Objective. Feel the strength of a single, uncompromising alignment axis.

The brief

Design a poster for a neighbourhood bookshop where every element aligns to one vertical line.

The bookshop is hosting a late-night reading. Invent its name and the date.

Constraints

  • One alignment axis for everything — choose its position carefully
  • No centred text
  • Typography and one simple shape
  • Maximum two colours

You're done when

  • A single, clearly visible alignment edge
  • No stray elements breaking the axis
  • Comfortable reading order from top to bottom

Stretch goal

Place the axis off-centre at roughly one-third of the width and use it to create tension.