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Herbert Matter 1907–1984
â–ź Herbert Matter, Man Dressing, 1944. Silver gelatin print, 13 7/8 x 11 in. Private Collection
Herbert Matter was a multidisciplinary designer whose interest in other mediums brought fine art and design together, pioneering new techniques that changed both graphic design and fine art forever.
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â–ź Herbert Matter, Model in profile view; Woman with beads, 1948 11 x 14 in. Herbert Matter Photograph Collection
PHOTO START Matter studied Painting at Ecole des Beaux Arts, Geneva. Later, he studied under Fernand Leger in Paris, 1929.
â–ź Herbert Matter, Hand inside fabric; White hand against dark fabric,11 x 14 in. Herbert Matter Photograph Collection
When he was learning under Leger, he found a camera that was abandoned in the apartment he was staying and taught himself photography.
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IMAGE MEETS TYPOGRAPHY Matter’s painting and photography skills would As a result of Matter’s interdisciplinary process, prove useful for his design practice, as he pioneered his designs utilized imagery to the fullest while ways to implement photography in posters. He integrating type into the message. transformed black-and“Herbert had a strong feeling white photos into full Matter’s portfolio includes for minute details, and this was color spreads through work done for Knoll, exemplified by the distinguished Harper’s Bazaar, New a photochemical dying typography he did for the Knoll Haven Railroad, and Vogue. process. Additionally, catalogues.” Alvin Eisenman he overlaid several However, The designs that photos to create singular compositions in a process kick-started his career were the posters done for called photomontage. the Swiss Tourism Office.
▲ Herbert Matter, Poster for Harry Bertoia Diamond Chair, Knoll ► Herbert Matter, Harper’s Bazaar, 1936–1938 ◄ Herbert Matter, Swiss Tourism Poster, 1934
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“He was the one to see the potential of photography as a tool, as a graphic element in the work as a whole. He is the pioneer in that regard.” Kerry William Purcell
◄ Herbert Matter, Knoll Ad, L’ŒIL Magazine, October 1956 ▼ Herbert Matter, Swiss Tourism Poster, 1935
LEGACY
Herbert Matter’s inventive use of photomontage, imagery, and color are still echoed in designs today. In fact, his designs are so timeless that even contemporary designer Paula Scher has used Matter’s designs as a base for her own work. With the invention of Photoshop and the digitizing of graphic design, photo manipulation and strong use of color are still some of the most popular techniques today, and it all started with Herbert Matter.
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▲ Herbert Matter, Knoll Ad, 1957 ▲ Herbert Matter, Knoll Ad, 1946–1966
With the invention of Photoshop and the digitizing of graphic design, photo manipulation and strong use of color are still some of the most popular techniques today, and it all started with Herbert Matter.
▲ Expression, World press freedom day: Man, Dubai, UAE, 2011 ▲ Grey Bangkok, COOKIES, Pediasure Powder, Thailand, 2001
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BIBLIOGRAPHY “Herbert Matter.” ADC • Global Awards & Club. Accessed April 17, 2016. http://adcglobal.org/hall-offame/herbert-matter/. “Stanford University Libraries.” Herbert Matter Photograph Collection. Accessed April 17, 2016. https://library.stanford.edu/collections/herbertmatter-photograph-collection. “Biography - Herbert Matter® Official Site.” Herbert Matter® Official Site. Accessed April 17, 2016. http:// herbertmatter.org/welcome/biography. Knoll, Hans G. Knoll Au Louvre: Catalog of the Exhibition Held at Pavillon De Marsan Musée Des Arts Décoratifs 107, Rue De Rivoli, Paris, January 12 to March 12, 1972. New York: Chanticleer Press, 1972. Pollock, Jackson, Herbert Matter, Ellen G. Landau, and Claude Cernuschi. Pollock Matters. Chestnut Hill, MA: McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, 2007. “HERBERT MATTER - MATTER.” The Visual Language Of Herbert Matter. Accessed April 17, 2016. http:// www.herbertmatter.net/matter.html#.
Designed and written by Lilli Grace Everson Composed in Gill Sans, typeface designed by Eric Gill in 1926 Printed from a Toshiba e-STUDIO3555C onto Hammermill 80# text Copyright © 2016 Lilli Grace Everson, Portland, Maine, Maine College of Art