Postmodernism is a wide term used to describe a movement that rebels againt staditional views of what is ‘correct’, emphasising individualism and complexity. In design, Postmodern didn’t completely change he direction and focus of designers, but instead aimed to expand and experiment with pre-existing styles, including the Swiss Style.
Wolfgang Weingart, born in Germany in 1941, was a Graphic Designer widely recognised for his postmodernist approach to typography leading to a new wave/approach to design. He studied at the Bauhaus school, but disproved of the Swiss Style which was popular at the time as he felt that it was too restrictive, putting limits on creativity and possibilities.
I watched a very informative video on Wolfgang’s work, showcasing some of his designs and him describing his thought processes and creative force behind some of his most interesting works.
I also watched a 3013 showcase of his works by AIGA. I found this very informative and interesting in describing his designs and what pushed his towards his unique approach. Here I learned that he had always been one to question the rules and limits of things, which became particularly apparent. A quote from Weingart in this video ‘Swiss Typography was becoming very boring’ illustrates how he craved a creative challenge, leading him to very experimental work with unique lettering and spacing.
Willi Kunz in an International Graphic Designer and typographer, currently working in New York. After temporarily covering Weingart’s teaching position in Basel School of Arts, he opened his own studio in NYC in the ‘70s where he was been working since.
Former student of Weingart, April Greiman is a designer who uses modern technology to enhance her work with textiles, communications and more. Her work, similarly to many other postmodernist designers, aims to challenge traditional imitations and boundaries of art to produce unique, striking designs.
Dan Friedman is another designer who was formerly taught by Weingart. This is when Friedman learned and adopted a radicalist approach to design. Contrary to the Swiss Style, Friedman was willing to get his studio messy and get his hands first during the design process.
I found the following quote to capture Friedman’s approach and radicalism quite well, describing how design can be used as a tool to benefit society rather than something that is neat and tidy but doesn’t have a major impact on the world:
“We should return to a belief in a radical spirit—the idea that design is something that can help improve society and people’s condition.”
Postmodern art and design approaches also thrived in the UK. Colin Fulcher, known publicly as Barney Bubbles, was a British graphic designer. He was most recognised for his vibrant, eye-catching poster designs. He is credited for being one of the first designers to willingly jump into the, at the time new, 70s punk-rock style.
