These Timeless Graphic Designs Are Still Relevant Sixty Years On

Mr. Josef Müller-Brockmann was a Swiss graphic designer and teacher who believed in socially responsible design. This emphasis on safety and health is clearly demonstrated by his Swiss Automobile Club posters, which were both groundbreaking in their use of photography and dramatic perspectives, and gained him a reputation as a designer.

Josef is best known though for the posters he designed for the Zurich Tonhalle, the concert hall. He designed posters for the Tonhalle from 1951 through 1972 all of which used bold graphics and text set on a mathematical grid that gave the composition consonance and related to music’s logarithmic balance and harmony. The overall effect was one of simplicity, reason, structure, and efficiency.

Sadly, Josef passed away in 1996 but he is still recognized for his rational design and organized use of typography, photography, and form language that continues to inspire designers today.

Image Sources: flickr.com, machinatorium.wordpress.com, grainedit.com