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Believe: Why I Created a Poster Celebrating the Strange, the Mysterious, and the Unexplained

I've always been fascinated by the things that make people stop and wonder.

The mysteries that linger just beyond explanation. The stories that refuse to die. The late-night conversations about what might be out there in the dark.

That's exactly what inspired my latest illustrated poster, Believe.

As a designer, I spend most of my days creating visual stories, and this piece gave me the chance to combine many of my favorite subjects into a single artwork. From UFOs and aliens to Bigfoot, Mothman, the Loch Ness Monster, Stonehenge, Easter Island statues, Devils Tower, and even the legendary Chupacabra, this poster is a celebration of the strange and unexplained.

A Love for the Unexplained

Some people are fascinated by sports. Others by history.

I've always been drawn to mysteries.

I've spent countless hours reading about alleged alien encounters, cryptids, ancient civilizations, paranormal experiences, government conspiracies, and unsolved mysteries. Whether you believe these stories are fact, fiction, or somewhere in between, there's something undeniably fun about exploring the unknown.

Growing up, I loved documentaries about Bigfoot sightings, UFO encounters, and strange creatures reported around the world. Even now, I find myself diving into podcasts, books, and articles about unexplained phenomena.

The mystery is often more interesting than the answer.

My Visit to Devils Tower

One of the central landmarks featured in this poster is Devils Tower, a place I've actually visited with friends.

Standing at the base of the tower is an incredible experience. The sheer size of it feels almost surreal, and it's easy to understand why it has inspired so many legends and stories over the years.

Of course, many people associate Devils Tower with the classic UFO film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which only adds to its mysterious reputation.

When I began sketching ideas for this illustration, I knew Devils Tower had to be included as the centerpiece. It acts as a visual anchor connecting many of the other legends surrounding it.

Roswell: A Bucket List Destination

Another real-world inspiration for this poster came from my trip to Roswell, New Mexico.

If you're fascinated by aliens and UFO history, Roswell is an amazing place to visit. I loved wandering through the alien-themed shops, seeing the artwork, learning about the famous 1947 incident, and experiencing a town that has fully embraced its place in UFO folklore.

Everywhere you look, there are references to extraterrestrials, flying saucers, and conspiracy theories. It's impossible not to leave inspired.

My visit to Roswell definitely influenced the playful alien imagery featured in this artwork.

Hidden Throughout the Illustration

One of my goals with this poster was to create something that rewards viewers who spend time exploring it.

The longer you look, the more mysteries you'll discover:

UFOs performing an alien abduction
A classic grey alien peering from behind a tree
Bigfoot lurking in the foreground
The legendary Loch Ness Monster
Stonehenge
Easter Island Moai statues
Mothman
Chupacabra
Ancient pyramids
Strange cosmic phenomena and recorded sounds
Dark forests and hidden creatures
Black Holes

Each element was carefully illustrated and arranged to create a world where all of these legends coexist.

Designing the Artwork

I spent many days creating this illustration.

The process involved multiple sketches, composition changes, color exploration, and countless refinements. I wanted the artwork to feel bold, graphic, and nostalgic while still packing in a huge amount of detail.

The final color palette uses vibrant greens, blues, and purples to create a supernatural atmosphere that feels both retro and modern.

I also wanted the poster to have the feel of a vintage travel poster—almost like an advertisement inviting you to visit a world filled with mysteries.

Why "Believe"?

The word "Believe" can mean different things to different people.

For some, it's belief in extraterrestrial life.

For others, it's belief in possibilities that haven't been proven yet.

And for many of us, it's simply about keeping a sense of wonder alive.

You don't have to believe every story about UFOs, Bigfoot, Mothman, cryptids, paranormal activity, or ancient mysteries to enjoy them. Sometimes the fun comes from asking questions and imagining what might be possible.

That's the spirit I wanted this poster to capture.

If you're someone who enjoys:

UFOs
Aliens
Roswell
Area 51
Bigfoot
Sasquatch
Mothman
Chupacabra
Loch Ness Monster
Cryptids
Paranormal mysteries
Ancient civilizations
Stonehenge
Easter Island
Devils Tower
Unsolved mysteries
Science fiction
Retro monster art
Weird Americana
X-Files
Disclosure Day
Abductions
Mystery

then this poster was made for you.

Creating Believe allowed me to combine many of my favorite subjects into one illustration, and it has quickly become one of my favorite pieces I've ever designed.

The world is full of mysteries. Some may eventually be explained. Others may remain unsolved forever.

Until then, it's fun to keep looking up at the sky and wondering.