Armin Hofmann: Posters & Communication by Calyssa Lohnes

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POSTERS & COMMUNICATION

Akzidenz-Grotesk.

AH Wilhelm Tell, 1963

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Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz

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H Swiss Typeface

The precursor font to Helvetica, Akzidenz-Grotesk was one of the most popular typefaces used during the swiss style movement. It is a classic Sans-serif type with a core focus clean an simple letterforms, this type quickly became iconic within swiss style graphic design.

Created by and originally released by the Berthold Type Foundry of Berlin in 1896, Akzidenz-Grotesk is classified as a grotesque sans-serif type.

Gewerbe-Museums, 1964

Kunsterziehung in USA, 1961

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S 4 Stadt Theater Basel, 1962

S Teaching

Hofmann began teaching at Basel School of Design in 1947, where he quickly moved up the ranks and became head of the graphic design department. The bulk majority of his work is in the form of posters.

Hofmann felt posters were the best possible way to communicate ideas and thoughts.

The majority of his posters were designed for the Stadt Theater Basel.

This major client described one of Hofmann’s most famous posters as: “capturing the dramatic experience of watching and listening as it’s displayed in the enlarged grainy photos of an ear and eye.”

Graphic Design Manual, 1965

Like many other designers of the time, Hofmann also published a book on his design processes and philosophies. The book, titled “Graphic Design Manual” is very popular and widely referred to by graphic designers up to this current day.

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Hofmann focused on the fundamental elements of graphic form; point, shape and line with the influence of color. He also played with asymmetric grid styles and layouts with text. However, he was not afraid to create abstract pieces of art to help communicate his ideals.

Stadt Theater Basel 63â „64, 1963

Requiem, 1986

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Giselle, 1959

Hofmann’s work resonates with me because he is able to connect both abstract and realistic designs into one fluid and comprehensive art piece. The way he can influence the mood and message of a poster by adding a single color component is something I strive to achieve as an aspiring graphic designer.

Hofmann’s works are on view and in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, both buildings located in New York City.

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“

As a human being he is simple and unassuming. As a teacher, he has few equals. As a practitioner, he ranks among the best …He is a rare bird, a daredevil driver, a mountain climber, a teacher par excellence, excellence, and a guru.

Yet it is difficult, really, to pin him down.

- Paul Rand of Hofmann

”

es. a Lohn e, Calyss y and Imag en by h tt p ri ra w posed og d n p m y a o T C d : e s r.

Design esign Basic rles Melche rdinand D a Fe GD102 ng 2020, Ch esigned by right: ri d . Copy rt, p k m S s o A u.c rote BF s fA -G is z n to d llege o ide e z o h k C s A li e b in in u es, Ma ardt. P Theinh alyssa Lohn C ©2020 , Maine nd Portla