Public Notice:

The 2025 U.S. International Poster Biennial

Opening February 27, 2026

Posters are one of the most universal forms of design. Found in streets, classrooms, protests, theaters, and now digital spaces, they communicate quickly and powerfully, often across language, culture, and borders. Designed for public view, posters rely on image, typography, and symbolism to make ideas visible and values legible.

At MODA, we believe design is a creative force that inspires change, transforms lives, and shapes a better world. Posters embody that belief. Accessible and democratic by nature, they give voice to social movements, express cultural identity, and capture moments of urgency, pride, and imagination. They sit at the intersection of art and everyday life—meant not just to be seen, but to be understood and acted upon.

This exhibition brings together posters from around the world that demonstrate how designers use visual communication to respond to their communities and the challenges of their time. Seen together, these works reveal the enduring power of posters as tools for storytelling, connection, and change. They remind us that design remains one of the most effective ways to engage the public and shape shared futures.

About the United States International Poster Biennial:

Founded in 2022, the United States International Poster Biennial (USIPB) is a global competition celebrating excellence in poster design and visual communication. Dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and showcasing innovative design from around the world, the Biennial highlights posters that address social impact, cultural identity, and national heritage, alongside animated works.

For the 2025 edition, the Biennial received 11,800 submissions from 93 countries. Selected works include entries from both professional designers and students, reflecting a wide spectrum of global voices and emerging perspectives.

TICKETS

Featuring:

GRANNY GRAFFITI

Carole Loeffler

Carole Loeffler began making Granny Graffiti in the winter of 2018 while spending time at “Tuesday Tea & Textiles,” a weekly gathering in a Philadelphia community storefront. Some visitors came to drink tea or make art; others arrived seeking warmth, food, first aid, or refuge. Reflecting on the space, Loeffler recalls, “It was the most welcoming place I have ever been in my life.”

There, Loeffler met a young man who often repeated the phrase “stay strong.” Moved by the generosity of the space, and wanting his words to live beyond its walls, she cut the phrase out of felt, glued it to a vintage doily, and hung it on a nearby telephone pole. The doily’s domestic associations lent the message tenderness and familiarity.

Inspired by the result, Loeffler began stitching other affirmations such as “It’s OK,” “We can fix this,” and “We are OK,” and installing them throughout the city as small offerings of reassurance. A colleague later coined the term “Granny Graffiti,” imagining what graffiti might look like if made by a grandmother.

In February 2018, Loeffler committed to placing one piece each day for the entire month, carrying doilies wherever she went and sharing the project online. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she again turned to Granny Graffiti, installing dozens of works throughout her Germantown neighborhood on daily walks with her family. The project continues to appear in response to moments of collective need.

EST. 2018