Exploratorium

Science of Cocktails Poster

In 2011, I was contracted by the Exploratorium » in San Francisco to do the graphic design for their Science of Cocktails fundraising event

As part of this campaign, I designed the poster that was used as the primary piece of marketing material and made available to attendees to take home. 

The event was a smash, the design was a hit, and the poster was well received. I figured it would be a minor successful footnote in my long and illustrious design career which, at the time, was just kicking off. 

And then something interesting happened. 

A Bigger Bang

In 2013, I received an email from a stranger who had used Google-fu to track me down. 

They let me know that a copy of my poster had made its way all the way to one of the sets of The Big Bang Theory. And not just out of focus somewhere deep in the background. Nope. Prominently displayed behind the main actors for several seasons in Raj Koothrappali's apartment. 

Considering that, at its peak (and well into streaming and syndication), the worldwide audience for this show is still in the millions, it's safe to say that this poster is the single most widely seen thing I’ve ever created. 

In fact, I’d wager that, unless I personally shared the link to my portfolio with you, this poster is probably the reason you’re here.

Because I often get the same questions related to this, let me answer them here to satisfy your curiosity: 

1. No, I don’t know how this poster ended up on the show. My assumption is that someone acquired it at the event, and, like Mr. Burns’ bear Bobo it traded many hands before it made its way to the production designer for the series. Naturally, as the character of Raj is a neurotic mess who can only speak to women when inebriated, the poster made quite a bit of sense. That’s what we in the biz call “environmental storytelling.” 

2. No, I never received nor do I believe I am entitled to any proceeds from the show for this. If any attorneys out there think I can get massive stacks of royalties cash for this semi-interesting bit of serendipty, feel free to hit me up.

Is this poster available?

As I occasionally get requests for a copy of this poster, I am more than happy to arrange for a fresh print to be produced and shipped anywhere in the United States (international shipping is potentially available but will have to work out the details.) Can be framed or unframed. 

Just send me an email » if you’d like a print and I'll be happy to work something out.