
PAIN HUSTLERS
Concept Project
Roles: Creative and Art Direction, Illustrator, Designer
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The goal of this project was to create a teaser key art for Pain Hustlers that condensed the film’s intersecting concepts, ambition, manipulation, seduction, and deceit, into a single, visually impactful image. The aim was to suggest the toxic nature of the story’s deals and relationships without revealing the plot.
THE CONCEPT
I used a close-up of two hands shaking as a symbol of an agreement in a negotiation. A snake coiled around this agreement serves as a representation of a poisoned pact, as well as a symbol commonly associated with the pharmaceutical trade. The snake is shown emerging from Pete’s arm and ending in Liza’s hand, reinforcing the idea of deception. In Liza’s hand, the bracelet with the inscription “Rookie of the Year,” which Pete gives her, strengthens her commitment to the business. The vibrant color palette refers to the protagonist’s outfit and also symbolizes how something appealing can hide something potentially dangerous.

A selection of examples showing how the Key Art could work in urban OOH displays.


