Abstract
This paper investigates Nazi propaganda posters during the regime’s oppressive era, focusing on their design strategies, semiotics, and cultural implications. By analyzing 15 posters within the historical context, the study demonstrates how propaganda functioned as a powerful tool for manipulating societal norms and promoting ideological conformity. Key examples include the portrayal of Adolf Hitler as a heroic leader and the demonization of marginalized groups, revealing the intricate visual tactics used to sway public perception. A comprehensive visual analysis was conducted using Rudolf Arnheim’s Visual Theory, Gestalt Theory, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Theory of Colours, examining colour schemes, typography, symbolism, and composition. Semiotic analysis further deciphered the embedded meanings in the posters, uncovering how signs, symbols, and visual language conveyed complex ideological messages. The study identifies five recurring visual themes—colour, symbolism, portraits of leaders, directional gazes, and facial expressions—and explores how these elements were strategically employed. Colours like red, black, and gold conveyed urgency, authority, and prosperity, while compositional techniques such as symmetry and asymmetry influenced psychological impact. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the research offers deeper theoretical insights into visual propaganda and demonstrates how these historical theories remain relevant in contemporary poster design. The findings underscore the importance of visual elements in shaping emotional and ideological responses, providing practical guidance for modern media and highlighting the enduring influence of propaganda strategies. Overall, the study reveals the sophistication and potency of Nazi propaganda posters as tools of ideological reinforcement.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
2026 Special Focus—The Image as Advocate: Shaping Cultural Conversations
KEYWORDS
NAZI; DESIGN; SEMIOTICS; CULTURAL; HISTORY
