Josef Muller-Brockmann

THE QUEST FOR ORDER

Graeme Facteau

Josef MĂźller Brockmann Josef Muller-Brockmann (Born May 9th 1914 and died August 30th 1996) was a Swiss graphic designer and teacher. His work is well known as an example of the classic Swiss style of design which adheres to a simplistic and uniform use of geometric figures and limited typefaces.

Today Brockmann is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Swiss design. His work and methods are still being used today. Brockmann got his start as an apprentice under Walter Diggelman. Then over twenty years of designing became one of the leading voices and theorists in the creation of the Swiss style His main contribution was the creation and appliction of the grid system within the Swiss style, a method that is included throughout the span of his works.

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1a.

Brockmann’s cover to his book describng his grid system approach.

1b. One of Brockmann’s posters for a concert event.

1c. One of Brockmann’s posters.

The exploration of the grid was meant to set a statute for solving problems in design.

Giving the designer the ability to control how you would look at and process their work. The grid also sets a clear hierarchy, allowing the reader to differentiate titles, subtitles, text, and illustration with ease. This not only looks cleaner and more concise but allows the viewer to process the information clearly and more quickly. His work demonstrates his grid ideals in action, a harmony between creative expression and communication.

Grids in their most simple form are a series of intersecting vertical and horizontal lines.

Breaking the piece into neat even blocks that give the designer guidelines to work from. These are used to place text, images, and graphics with pleasing spacing that allows you to create a hierarchy. The grid at its heart simply creates a somewhat mathematical formula to art. After all, the two main jobs graphic designers have is getting people’s attention (interesting imagery and graphics) and conveying a message. While there is no one way to do this, grids give a system that allows us to create the balance between art and information.

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Grids

Another use of grids in Brockmann’s work is multiple grid systems within a single piece. While a single grid can be effective it is not always as visually interesting as it could be. Most of the time there are multiple grid systems within a single piece. Some pieces involve a strict differentiation between text and graphic. Many pieces involve the text staying on a strictly vertical and horizontal grid system while the imagery and graphics stay on their own grid system. The grid for the graphic could be a regular grid on an angle shown in figure () or a completely different shaped grid adhering to a geometric form. These different grid systems do not contest each other, quite the contrary. They add interest and hierarchy to the whole piece. And while the combination seems quite simplistic, the combinations and possibilities are limitless.

2a. An example of two grid systems within one peice

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Grids are a system that can be applied in almost any shape or form. Many of Brockmans most famous designs are circular. The grid process is still present but he uses a circular grid system whose focal point draws you into the text.

Even though the text is not the largest most attention grabbing presence in the piece, the graphic works with the text to draw you in to understand the purpose of the poster while remaining visually interesting. Circular grids give an interesting use of motion which is highly useful in guiding the eye.

Whether it be the center of the circle of the graphics guide the eye towards the text in the piece.

The use of grid systems could be expanded even further. With infinite combinations and geometric forms yet to be explored Brockmann’s work left much to be explored.

2b. An example of a circular grid system

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Brockmanns Impact

Brockmann’s work is inspiring to a new designer such as myself. Seeing other designers work can be quite intimidating, Brockmann’s work upon first glance made sense to me. The way he conveys imagery and information in such a clear and digestible way. And when I discovered that his work revolved around his grid system it allowed me to look at design from another perspective. It also made me realize that designers all have their tactics and ways they approach their design. It isn’t an instant translation between the idea of a design in their head and their work. There is something to learn from each designer. And getting to know Josef Müller-Brockmann was a great place to start.

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Bibliography Https://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/. “Josef Müller-Brockmann.” https://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/. Accessed May 7, 2020. https://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/josef-muller-brockmann.

“Josef Müller-Brockmann ‘swiss style.’” https://www.grapheine. com/. Last modified March 12, 2013. Accessed May 7, 2020. https://www.grapheine.com/en/history-of-graphic-design/graphicdesigner-muller-brockmann-swiss-style.

Purcell, Kerry William. “JOSEPH MÜLLER-BROCKMANN.” http:// www.designishistory.com/. Accessed May 7, 2020. http://www. designishistory.com/1940/joseph-mueller-brockmann/.

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Just as in nature systems of order govern the growth and structure of animate and inanimate matter, so human activity itself has, since the earliest times, been distinguished by

The Quest For Order -Josef Muller-Brockmann