Punk Graphic Design vs Rave Graphics

Rave Graphics was influenced by Punk Graphic Design.

Original specimen in the punk cut-and-paste style

Punk Graphic Design

The aggressive do-it-yourself aesthetic of punk, built from ransom-note lettering, photocopied collage, torn paper, and a deliberate rejection of professional polish.

  • Ransom-note lettering cut from newspapers and magazines
  • High-contrast photocopied (Xerox) texture and grain
  • Torn paper edges and visible glue-and-scissors collage
  • Hand-scrawled marker text and defaced imagery
  • Deliberately crude, anti-professional layouts
Full Punk Graphic Design guide →
Original specimen in the Rave Graphics style

Rave Graphics

The hand-drawn, fluorescent chaos of acid-house and rave flyers, anchored by the manic yellow smiley face and a cartoon riot of melting type, aliens, and dayglo swirls.

  • Yellow acid-house smiley face icon
  • Fluorescent dayglo inks on black or white stock
  • Hand-drawn cartoon characters and aliens
  • Melting, bubbly psychedelic lettering
  • Dense collage of clip art and photocopied texture
Full Rave Graphics guide →

At a glance

Punk Graphic DesignRave Graphics
Erac. 1976–1984Late 1980s–1990s
DisciplineGraphic DesignGraphic Design
RegionUnited Kingdom, United StatesUnited Kingdom, United States, Europe
FamilyVernacular/Pop, DIY/SubcultureDIY/Subculture, Vernacular/Pop
Formal traitscut-and-paste, ransom-note, photocopy, high-contrastfluorescent, hand-drawn, collage, cartoon

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