Kate: The Grand Budapest Hotel

I am starting my first blog of 2016 by recommending Wes Anderson’s 2014 “The grand Budapest Hotel” to all who have never watched this spectacular film. And to those of you who have, I recommend watching it again.

To sum up the storyline in one sentence, the film is about the Adventures of Gustav H, a legendary concierge at a famous hotel and the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend.

I was first introduced to this film as a birthday gift a year ago. The first time I sat down and watched it, I was engulfed in so much visual inspiration (I wouldn’t expect anything else from a Wes Anderson) that I have found myself creating collections of work based around the colour schemes, styling and set production of the film.

As a freelance designer, I have always been interested in creating modern work with a hint of nostalgia. I currently enjoy mixing “sickly sweet” colours schemes with modern shapes.

For me, the visuals that have stood out to me the most are the ornate older version of the hotel itself; the architecture, design and pink colour palette. I have always loved Wes Anderson’s signature style of filming in straight lines and feel that he really captures the landscape of the outdoors as well as the “Adventure” through this way of filming.

Another inspiration from the film is the graphic design of the Mendl’s Patisserie packaging. Again, filling my mind with sickly sweet colour schemes, beautifully ornate design and intricate attention to detail.

So, if I haven’t managed to persuade you to go and watch the film yourself, here are a few of my favourite stills as well as some shots of the props designed by Annie Atkins and the art Department team.