Mid-Century Modern Graphic Design sampler

Mid-Century Modern

Graphic Design

Theo Inglis

First published in the United Kingdom in 2019 by Batsford 43 Great Ormond Street London WC1N 3HZ An imprint of Pavilion Books Group Volume copyright Š Batsford, 2019 Text Š Theo Inglis, 2019 Design by Theo Inglis and Gemma Doyle The moral rights of the author have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

ISBN: 9781849944823 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Reproduction by Mission Productions, Hong Kong Printed by 1010 Printing International Ltd, China This book can be ordered direct from the publisher www.pavilionbooks.com or try your local bookshop.

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The distinctive aesthetic of mid-century modern graphics captured the post-war zeitgeist of energy and progress. The machine-led designs of previous decades gave way to a new kind of work where the human hand was made visible – with the designs incorporating handwriting, drawn illustrations, torn paper and collage – giving them an immediacy, optimism and visual playfulness.

Theo Inglis takes an in-depth look at this innovative period, writing about the work of artists, designers and illustrators from all over the world, and placing it within a broader social and historical context. From book covers, record sleeves, magazines and posters to advertising, typography and illustration, the designs feature eye-popping colour palettes, experimental type and prints that buzz with kinetic energy.

The book includes designers whose work continues to inspire and influence, such as Paul Rand, Alex Steinweiss, Joseph Low, Alvin Lustig, Elaine Lustig Cohen, Leo Lionni, Rudolph de Harak, Abram Games, Tom Eckersley, Ivan Chermayeff, Saul Bass, Corita Kent, Jim Flora, Ray Eames, Miroslav Šašek and Helen Borten.

The exuberant eclecticism that we so enjoy in mid-century modern graphic design broke free of the rule book, and its influence can still be seen in graphic design today.

UK £20.00 US $29.95 Can $39.95