pixies at the rat, boston, 1986

pixies at the rat, boston, 1986 was designed by Mike Joyce to promote a concert held by Pixies at the Rat in Boston on December 13th, 1986. To design this poster, Mike Joyce utilized the International Typographic Style or alternatively known as the Swiss Style. Joyce created this poster as a part of an ongoing concert poster series titled Swissted, which is heavily inspired and even named after the Swiss style, making it an excellent example of the Swiss style used in the modern era.

The International Typographic Style was a very influential movement that originated in Switzerland during the 1950s. This style incorporated mathematical grid systems as well as asymmetrical elements that formed clean, simple, readable, and modern designs. Joyce has been inspired by this style since he first discovered it through his Swiss modernist professor Fred Troller at Alfred University. 

As Joyce grew up during the 80's in Albert, New York, he had always been fascinated by the punk-rock and new-wave music scene. Joyce would frequently attend concerts within these kinds of music genres and was heavily inspired by the artistic expression that he witnessed.

Joyce wanted to combine his love for the Swiss Style and music to create visually interesting concert posters for his poster series. Within these posters, Joyce utilized the Swiss Style techniques such as vibrant colors, easy legibility, grid systems, and the Akzidenz-Grotesk font.