Illustrator John Mattos!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good Morning! Today we are looking into the gifted illustrator who most famously created the poster for the 1991 film “The Rocketeer”, John Mattos! I was even lucky enough to ask him a few questions!

John Mattos built his career around a clear, instantly recognizable style that blends mid-century design with modern simplicity. His work relies on bold shapes, controlled color, and clean lines to communicate ideas with precision. Instead of heavy detail, he focuses on composition and visual impact, creating images that feel both timeless and contemporary. This approach has made his illustrations especially effective in editorial and advertising work, where clarity and concept matter most.

His connection to “The Rocketeer” is most visible through the film’s iconic poster, which he designed. Mattos approached the piece by drawing directly from 1930s and 1940s design influences, echoing the era that inspired the film itself. He simplified the figure of the “Rocketeer” into a bold silhouette, using strong angles and limited color to emphasize motion and heroism. The composition avoids clutter, allowing the central image to carry the entire narrative at a glance.

In designing the poster, Mattos focused on creating a sense of upward movement and momentum. “The Rocketeer” is positioned as a rising figure, reinforcing both the character’s flight and the spirit of adventure at the heart of the story. The typography and layout were carefully integrated into the image, reflecting the streamlined look of vintage pulp covers and aviation graphics. Every element was reduced to its essentials, resulting in a design that feels immediate, striking, and easy to read from a distance.

That poster has since become one of the most recognizable pieces of imagery associated with the film. It captures the same retro-futuristic energy found in the original comic while presenting it in a modern, graphic way. Through this work, Mattos demonstrated how simplicity and strong design can define a film’s identity, creating an image that remains enduring decades after the movie’s release!

Bonus Questions:

Giancarlo: What was your favorite movie growing up?

John: The Wizard of Oz.

Giancarlo: Did you have any pushback from friends and family on wanting to become an artist?

John: My family seemed fine with it, and paid for my 8 semesters at Art Center in LA. I managed to be economically successful early on- so there wasn't that usual push back.

Giancarlo: Which of the projects you’ve worked on are you the most proud of?

John: A poster I did for a “No Kings” event in San Francisco. (See below)

Giancarlo: What was it like working on “The Rocketeer” poster?

John: The Art Director at Disney (don't remember his name) left me alone, and only offered encouragement- so I got to keep it simple.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

John: Regarding career- There's Time, Money, and career advancement: pick any two.

Please check out his work: https://www.johnmattos.com/

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again soon!

-Giancarlo