This week’s lecture covers how the layouts and spaces in books have been planned out strategically with the use of symmetry and grids as systems for design. Jan Tschichold created a book named “New Typography” which brought modernist ideals and the idea of bringing empty space to page. He fled from Germany during World War 2, which resulted in the expansion for modern ideals. In his book only sans-serif fonts are used, there is evident in the standardization of page space and the use of page sizes. It is observed that he and incorporated empty space as an element of design. Other designers, such as Albe Steiner and Emil Ruder, had also modernist approaches. Andy and Karen also shared their fascinating book and mentioned how some typefaces had to be smuggled in countries as in 20th Century, there were limits on the fonts they are allowed to own and how many copies of the fonts were available. It is also mentioned how humans are co-dependent with machines, such as how the typewriter is used to create words and how emojis from phones can create a communication beyond the norm.
[Thoughts] I never knew that fonts had to be smuggled in in the early days! Nowadays, people have easy access to all sorts of typefaces with only a simple google search and a click of the download button. People should realize how lucky we are being able to live in such a digital period, and it is true that we are very dependent with the use of technology (especially now). In my opinion as the year progresses, humans would most likely to rely on machines. I am unsure if that is something to be excited for or not.
Born on the 2nd of April 1902, Jan Tschichold became a prominent 20th century German typographer and book designer. He was raised in Germany and worked closely with Paul Renner (the designer of Futura) and fled to Switzerland during the rise of the Nazi party. His practice on new typography and sans-serif typefaces were seen as a threat to the cultural heritage of Germany, which traditionally used Blackletter Typography and the Nazis seized much of his work before he was able to flee the country. When “New Typography” was published he had set forth rules for standardization of practices relating to modern ideals. He condemned all typefaces except for sans-serif types, advocated standardized sizes of paper and set forth guidelines for establishing a typographic hierarchy when using type in design. Afterwards, he spent part of his career with Penguin Books and he developed a standardized practice for creating the covers for all of the books produced by Penguin.
Albe Steiner was born in 1913 in Milan and began his work as a graphic artist in the year 1939. His career brings him to Mexico in the period between 1946 and 1948, where he moved together with his family and Hannes Meyer, the former Bauhaus director. He came back to Italy in 1948 teaching until 1971. He worked for the most important Italian companies like Pirelli and Olivetti. He took part to various commercial and cultural exhibitions (Fiera di Milano, Triennali and Biennale di Venezia). He was also interested in photography as a new mean of communication.
image 1 is from the lecture
image 2 https://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/jan-tschichold
image 3 https://sites.google.com/a/apacir.press/denielzander/albe-steiner-comunicazione-visiva
https://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/jan-tschichold
http://www.museodelmarchioitaliano.com/route4/albe-steiner.php
