Earlier Work & Updates
Selected earlier exhibitions, lectures, educational initiatives, illustration, publishing, and design projects.
Environmental Graphic Design — Pratt Brooklyn Campus
Coordinated by Professor John De Santis with curator Kate Therrian, this Graphic Design I project produced an outdoor exhibition on Pratt Institute’s Brooklyn campus spanning more than 100 feet.
John Presents to Italian Ambassador to the United States
Italian Ambassador to the United States Claudio Bisogniero visited the Year of Italian Culture in the United States poster exhibition at CUNY’s Calandra Institute. Ten posters designed by John were exhibited as part of the Italian government initiative celebrating Italian creativity and culture in the United States.
Lecture at The New School’s Landmark Auditorium
Professor De Santis presented a Graphic Design History lecture in The New School’s landmark Alvin Johnson/J.M. Kaplan Hall auditorium, designed by Joseph Urban in 1930. The Modernism and Art Deco lecture included a presentation of film-title design by Saul and Elaine Bass.
Bolted Book Project
A multi-semester Pratt project developed for students to create their own interpretations of Fortunato Depero’s iconic Depero Futurista, known as the Bolted Book.
Poster Exhibit — City University of New York
Ten posters designed by John Battista De Santis were exhibited at the City University of New York’s Calandra Institute as part of the Italian government’s 2013 Year of Italian Culture in the United States initiative.
Year of Italian Culture in the United States Poster Series
Amerigo Vespucci Poster
Poster created for Italy Culture Month in New York.
Italy-America Chamber of Commerce
Created ten illustrations for the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce 125th Anniversary book.
Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial
Poster illustrated to commemorate the Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial.
American History Magazine — Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson portrait illustration for the cover of American History Magazine.
United States Constitution Print
United States Constitution illustration for Rovere Publishing.
Rovere Publishing — Civil War 150
Rovere Publishing launched a Civil War 150 series featuring portrait illustrations of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and Stonewall Jackson, along with a photomontage series illustrated by John.
Tennis Photomontage
Tennis photomontage poster launched by Rovere Publishing.
Italy’s 150th Anniversary
John’s poster for Italy’s 150th Anniversary was presented to President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano and American astronaut Michael Massimino in New York City.
2010
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt portrait for the National Park Service at Sagamore Hill.
Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori poster created for Italian Heritage & Culture Month of New York.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Rovere’s Statue of Liberty poster was carried at Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island National Monument gift stores.
New York Civil War Photomontage Series
A series of photomontage illustrations launched by Rovere Publishing, including New York City Civil War, Irish Brigade, New York City Fire Zouave, and 14th Regiment Brooklyn posters.
2009
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
John’s Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial portrait was launched at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Lincoln Home National Park, and Newseum in Washington, D.C.
New York City Police Museum
Portrait illustration poster created for the New York City Police Museum gift shop.
San Gennaro — Italian American Museum
Two poster illustrations created for the Italian American Museum in Little Italy, New York: an exhibition poster and a poster for the annual Feast of San Gennaro.
Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei photomontage poster for Italian Heritage and Culture Month of New York.
2008
Andrea Palladio
Andrea Palladio poster for Italian Heritage and Culture Month of New York.
Italian Cultural Institute — New York
Design for a 40-foot Italian culture display at the Italian Cultural Institute in New York.