A new poster series has been unveiled by Transport for West Midlands in collaboration with ‘I Choose Birmingham’ to celebrate the region’s landmarks through the lens of bus travel.
The project, part of TfWM’s ‘You’re Bussing It’ campaign, features artwork by local illustrator Milan Topalović. Drawing inspiration from 1950s travel posters, Topalović captured locations like Edgbaston Reservoir and the Balti Triangle in colourful, eye-catching designs.
“As a Birmingham-born illustrator with a huge passion to celebrate the city, this was a dream gig,” said Topalović. “We discussed so many options and somehow whittled it down to a very neat, curated collection of posters that I hope burst with life and colour, like hearing an album that starts with five hit singles.
"Considering that they might be viewed for a longer time at an exhibition, or very fleetingly at a bus stop, the designs had to include key touchpoints that would quickly communicate the concept's theme and it's mood while sometimes including smaller details or "Easter eggs" seen on subsequent views. A lot of posters don't have time for sentiment and nuance these days, but I love leaving surprises and details that children might pick out, but adults might miss."
The posters caught the eye of the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, who praised the project. "Milan’s work brilliantly captures how a simple bus journey can take you to some of our region's most beautiful and vibrant places," said Parker. "His love for Edgbaston Reservoir, the Balti Triangle, and of course the world-famous number 11 route really shine through in the posters.
"Picking a local artist has really paid off. These posters are an inspiration and an invitation for people to go out, get on a bus and experience these wonderful destinations for themselves."
The posters aim to inspire locals to explore the West Midlands by bus, a greener more affordable transport option.