Josef M端ller-Brockmann
“Reduction of content can make all the difference in the outcome of a design.” Josef Müller-Brockmann
May 9, 1914 – August 30, 1996
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Reindard-Brown Gallery, New York. Exhibition Poster, 1980.
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THE GRID SYSTEM M
端ller-Brockmann established himself as the leading man of the Swiss Style, which sought a universal graphic expression through a grid-based design, stripped of complex looking illustration and subjective feeling.
The posters, ment to attract an audience to events, especially music shows and museum exhibitions embraced the Swiss style technique involving abstract geometrical shapes. The goal for these graphic posters is to be understood by viewers speaking multiple different languages.
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The grid was a way to prioritize and arrange typographic and pictorial elements with the meaningful use of color, set into a semblance of order, based on left-to-right, top-to-bottom.
“Illustrations are always understood as an artistic product, a subjective statement. Photography is a credible reflection of reality that enables me to make an objective statement. Emotion in images, as in painted realizations of ideas and visions, can produce genuine works of art, but in advertising I value as much objectivity as possible.� 6
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Zurich Tonhalle. musica viva, Concert Poster. 1957.
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Zurich Tonhalle, Concert Poster, 1952.
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B’s first experience with typography was designing concert posters for the famous Zurich music hall, The Tonhalle.
He developed a strong passion for poster designing. It seemed the ideal way for expressing his new approach to design.
Reduction in type sizes and functional organization of information in asymmetrical arrangements are some design principles used in these works.
He had to bring new aspects into the advertising world, by reinforcing old consumer habits while creating new ones.
MB referred to the constructive grid as an instrument for ordering typography and pictorial conception.
Zurich Tonhalle. June Festival, Concert Poster. 1959.
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Müller, Lars. “Josef MüllerPurcell, Kerry William. “Joseph Brockmann Pioneer of Swiss Design” Müller-Brockmann : Design Is (Lars Müller Publishers, 2001) History.” (Eye Magazine)
Schneider, Speider. “Josef MüllerBrockmann: Principal Of The Swiss School” (Noupe.com, 2011)
Schwemer-Scheddin, Yvonne. “Reputations: Josef MüllerBrockmann” (Eye Magazine)
Designed and written by Isabella Ucci Composed in Helvetica Light and Bold Printed on Hammermill 80lb Copyright © 2016 Isabella Ucci, Portland, Maine, Maine College of Art
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