Eileen Steinbach, the Clio Award-winning artist behind the name SG Posters, focuses on key art and alternative art to promote films, ranging from indie pieces to studio productions. Her work, described as conceptual minimalism, emphasizes strong and evocative ideas. Steinbach works both illustratively and image-based, depending on the film's needs, to create striking imagery that captures the essence of the story. She is part of the artist collective Poster Posse and her latest creations, as well as a glimpse into her office life, can be found on her Instagram.
What inspired you to become an artist?
I was always interested in art from a young age, enjoying drawing, painting, and collage art. After graduating, I went into an apprenticeship as a media designer, learning technical skills and design software. However, I felt creatively unchallenged, so I studied graphic design, experimenting with editorial design, typography, illustration, hand print techniques, and motion design. I then moved into advertising, loving the brainwork and creative solutions. But I quickly realized there were limits, so I started creating movie posters on the side, posting them on Tumblr, and gained a following. This led to people using my posters in Google searches and on news articles, which made me think, 'Could I do this for real?' I pushed for it with my marketing knowledge and started promoting myself on social media, which worked quickly. Social media was easier to navigate back then, and the followers and clients came, snowballing into a full-time freelance career creating key art, promotional art, and tribute pieces for films I love.
Who were your favorite artists growing up?
As a teen, I was a big fan of Monet, with a whole room dedicated to his paintings and color schemes. Old Disney posters and artists like John Alvin also inspired me. After puberty, I shifted into a Tim Burton phase, loving his illustrative work and films. Andy Warhol and Stefan Sagmeister also had a big influence on my early design career, with their ability to connect design and art. Saul Bass became a favorite, and Akiko Stehrenberger, with her phenomenal work and kindness, became my biggest inspiration in the poster world.
Who are some of your favorite artists today, and what do you follow on Instagram?
There are so many! Lovas Tibor, Giovanni Esposito, Matt Needle, Bruno Vergauwen, C.A. Martin, and the entire Poster Posse are all incredibly talented and versatile. Their work is stunning and conceptually rich.
What advice would you give to budding artists?
Do it! Pursue your passion wholeheartedly, and don't overthink the first steps. Start and commit fully, learning everything about your niche, studying, researching, and understanding platforms and tools. Learn to present and market yourself, and connect with other artists. Don't sit back and expect things to happen; actively claim your place in the industry.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I want to do more packaging, physical media, and book covers. I'm expanding my work, but posters will remain my main focus. I might even go into teaching, as Germany doesn't have many key artists, and it could be a new niche for me.
What are some of your favorite movies/TV shows?
I'm a big fan of horror, fantasy, and quiet dramas. Tim Burton's 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'Big Fish' are favorites. 'The Shining,' 'Seven,' and 'Constantine' are also inspiring. For comfort, I love 'Practical Magic' and 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. For emotional moments, 'Her,' 'Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind,' 'Arrival,' and 'The Last Unicorn' are must-watches. TV-wise, 'Mad Men,' 'American Horror Story,' 'Hannibal,' and 'The Vampire Diaries' are favorites.
