1. Graphic Design My Life as a Movie
These tips from: Book - Posters - by George F. Horn (Davis Publications)

2. Elements and Principles of Design
line
color
shape
space
Principles
balance
movement
unity
emphasis

3. The Characteristics of the Poster
a successful poster tells the story quickly
must be attention-getting
the poster must be convincing
a striking use of color is important
an effective poster reflects simplicity

4. Design Qualities: BALANCE
formal balance is also referred to as symmetrical design.
informal balance presents a design with variations on either side of an imaginary central vertical axis.

6. Design Qualities: MOVEMENT
the systematic directing of the viewer’s eye from one part of the image to another in a way predetermined by the artist

8. Design Qualities: EMPHASIS
contrasting background shapes behind the illustration or lettering
strong contrasting colors and values
a generous use of white space or open space
contrasting styles, sizes and colors in the lettering
a large illustration

10. Design Qualities: UNITY
the design should “hold together” visually
through overlapping of the elements in the design
through the use of panels or a line
by the treatment of the background

12. Design Qualities: THEME
design a “feeling” for the product, service, event, or attitude.
a poster advertising perfume may be light, delicate, feminine, or decorative
a poster selling trucks or heavy industrial equipment should be strong, heavy masculine, with bold colors
a poster encouraging a winter vacation in the south should be bright, sun-shiny, happy, and carefree

14. Color in the Poster color attracts color emphasizes color looks good
color is symbolic
color identifies
color expresses feelings
color creates movement, unity 
color develops continuity and contrast.

16. Lettering Lettering should be
simple, legible, appropriate and attractive
there is no place in design for lettering that is overly tricky, confusing, or difficult to read
uniform

18. Lettering: EMPHASIS
There are a number of ways to emphasize your lettering:
by making one word larger
by changing the value or the color of this word
by changing the style of lettering for this word
by lettering the word in CAPITALS
by underlining one word
by using italic letters

20. Your Assignment: pretend that a movie has been filmed about your life
design a poster that will advertise it
include an original title for your movie, your name, and images that show your interests or that tell something about you