I was just reading an interesting, but very intriguing article in the lateest Communcation Arts (Vol 334, Jan/Feb 2005). Found under the Typography section, "European and American Typography in the 1920s" by Alex W. White. It brought me to a realization that I really don't know the roots of typography. Where the mainstream foundries started, the inovators, what inspired them. It truly amazed me that during the early 1900s, Russian artists were propelled to innovate new ways of doing things. Alex White stated that "...Printing sizes, for example, depended entirely on what paper is already at a print shop". I currently spend my time trying to create new ways of expressing my work, just to do it. No reason pushing me. It seems like I am trying to reinvent the wheel out of boredom. These men were forced to reinvent the wheel because their passion for the work they did forced them to invent new ways with what they had readily available. The roots of graphic design ride deep into German culture. When WWII came about, the Nazi's closed down the Bauhaus ( a school known for great marks in graphic design), but the innovators didn't let that stop their passion. TO AMERICA!!!! Thus, the new Bauhaus in Chicago is born.
I want to thank men like Alex White, for bringing us back to the roots, where the innovators passion filled the pages of the early century. It has inspired me to take a closer look at the past to shape the future.
2 comments:
Other than being inspired by past typographer's passion, has there been any other specific tips you have picked up from them?
Yeah. Not only their dedication to the industry, but the detail the added to their work. Men like Abram Games communicated the true essence of compassion, pride for one's country in his war posters during the WWII years. The way that men like Paul Renner brought glory to sans serifs, like Futura. Finally, men like Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones and the library of fonts they have contributed has truely helped to mold the typography of today. I am trying to learn more and more about these men. How they found inspiration in signs, shapes and everyday object. They saw type as art, not just some letters on a page. And I only aspire to one day be able to provide this kind of passion to others through my work.
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