Before Class 04/09/10

The International Typographic style is also known as "Swiss design." Fittingly it began in Switzerland in the 1950's. It can be recognized by it's "asymmetrical organization of the design elements on a mathematically constructed grid." Information is presented in simple, clear, and concise formats. There are no "exaggersted calims of propaganda and commercial advertising." Unlike other artists and designers we read about who believed art should be kept separate from involving itself in public affairs, this movements believed design could be beneficial to social issues. However, they chose to do so in simplified ways without ornate, busy, or complex designs. As the modern times were evolving this design style leaned on the scientific approach to design. "Achieving clarity and order" was the main concern. One of the leaders of this movement was Ernst Keller from Switzerland. He taught at the school in Zurich his own lettering and trademarks. "He established a standard of excellence." His posters were colorful and full of symbolic imagery. The School of Design in Basel had influences from Bauhaus and De Stijl. Theo Ballmer's use of geometric grid design could be seen in his lettering and "formal harmony." Max Bill changed the books were designed. Instead of indented paragraphs h eused a "ragged right margin."
Photographs that were enlarged were used for this modern design as well. Innovations in photography and darkrooms allowed close-up images to be transformed into paintable abstract images.
I would be interested in knowing how design influenced science or vise versa? Did any designers double as scientists? Did they use microscopes? Do any artists today use solely microscopes to find inspiration for design?