German type and book designer jan tschichold 19021974 revolutionized modern typography through his bold, asymmetrical designs and use of sanserif typography, both inspired by the work of the bauhaus. Set version one as simply as possible, version three as far out as possible, and version two as transitional. I conducted a research into the early days of modernism and constructivism. Jan tschichold master typographer is, as its title suggests, intended as a tribute to its subject, but it is one which would have displeased him greatly. Wikipedia entry introduction jan tschichold born johannes tzschichhold, also known as iwan tschichold, or ivan tschichold.
The book was set in a sansserif typeface and designed in tschicholds new style. Posters of the avantgarde le coultre, martijn f purvis, alston w. An exhibition currently on view in new york city celebrates the german designer and typographer jan tschichold and reminds us of his prominent position within design history. In the new typography tschichold set criterion for standardization and practice for modern type. Sep 01, 2006 jan tschichold was the one to explain the early 19th centurys movement for claritypurity of form and type as practiced at the bauhaus to a wider audience of printers, typesetters and designers who previously were entangled in the imitation of traditional styles of the past. However, the most notable thing hes done is the design for the penguin books covers. As a result, many designers in europe and throughout the world embraced this new approach to graphic design. The book was set in a sansserif typeface and designed in tschichold s new style. At a moment when manifestos proclaiming the death of the old and heralding a brave new age proliferated, tschicholds book stood out for its clarity and utility. He condemned all typefaces except for sansserif types, advocated standardized sizes of paper and set forth guidelines for establishing a typographic hierarchy when using type in design. Tschichold had converted to modernist design principles in 1923 after visiting the first weimar bauhaus exhibition.
Jan tschichold, born april 2, 1902, leipzig, germanydied august 11. Jan tschichold and the new typography bard graduate center. Almost overnight, typographers and printers adapted this way of working for a huge range of printed matter, from business cards and brochures to. In the years leading up to its publication, tschichold struck up a correspondence with many european artistdesigners, including kurt schwitters. He is considered one of the most influential figures in typography and design of the 20 th century. He played a significant role in the development of graphic design in the 20th century first, by developing and promoting principles of typographic modernism, and subsequently and ironically idealizing. Jan tschichold and the new typography studio international. Many years later, in a talk given by tschichold to the type directors club, new york, he further discusses these early years in switzerland. Oct 09, 2018 jan tschichold pronounced yahn chihkold, 1902 1974, was a highly regarded german calligrapher, typographer, book designer, and educator. Purvis jan tschichold and poster design by martijn f. By the later 1920s avant garde typography was making inroads into more mainstream commercial design much through the efforts of designer jan tschichold. Jan tschichold and the new typography shillington design. This book was a manifesto of modern design, in which he condemned all typefaces but sansserif.
And of course, a character i have always been fascinated by. Stanley morison, who died in 1967, and jan tschichold wrote. First edition thus reprint of oktoberheft 1925 edition with new prefaces by olaf leu and friedrich friedl. Jan tschichold was the one to explain the early 19th centurys movement for claritypurity of form and type as practiced at the bauhaus to a wider audience of printers, typesetters and designers who previously were entangled in the imitation of traditional styles of the past. Herbert bayer, piet zwart, ladislav sutnar and others. Jan tschichold german typographer and author britannica. Jan tschichold and avantgarde typography rahas blog. In germany, where black letter, or gothic script called fraktur in german, remained in use until the 20th century. Tschichold passed away on august 11, 1974, in locarno, switzerland at the age of 72.
At a moment when manifestos proclaiming the death of the old and heralding a brave new age proliferated, tschichold s book stood out for its clarity and utility. Tschichold was partly responsible for a movement in germany and now, the world that introduced this idea of modern typography. Since its initial publication in berlin in 1928, jan tschicholds the new typography has been recognized as the definitive treatise on book and graphic design in. Typographische mitteilungen, sonderheft elementare typographie jan tschichold. Jul 06, 2016 jan tschichold was a german typographer, responsible for the revolution in the understanding the significance of style in written word. Bahaus is a school of art, design and architecture founded in germany in bauhaus style is characterized by. Illustrated with images from jan tschichold s littleknown private collection of design ephemera, this book explores a legendary figure in the history of modern graphic design through.
At his most provocative tschichold only condoned the. May 08, 2014 and of course, a character i have always been fascinated by. An original account of the life and work of legendary designer jan tschichold and his role in the movement in weimar germany to. He had a background in calligraphy and strongly advocated for the sansserif typefaces, and standardized paper sizes. One gallery in the exhibition jan tschichold and the new typography at the bard graduate center shows his design work, while the rest of the space is devoted continued. At his most provocative tschichold only condoned the use of sans serif type. Mar 29, 2020 through writings and designs by jan tschichold, a young german designer. A handbook for modern designers, which expounded the principles and functional uses of modernist typography to. An original account of the life and work of legendary designer jan tschichold and his role in the movement in weimar germany to create modern graphic design. Between 1955 and 1967 jan tschichold worked as a design consultant for the basel pharmaceutical company hoffmannla roche. Tschicholds new typography and the relationship to the bauhaus. Jan tschichold was a prominent twentieth century german typographer and book designer.
Jan tschichold was a german typographer, designer, teacher, and writer. A handbook for modern designers, which expounded the principles and functional uses of modernist typography to printers, type compositors, and designers. Find out more about the exhibition and related events. Jan tschichold, master typographer of the 20th century. Wladyslaw strzeminski, druk funkcjonalny a note on the jan tschichold collection in the museum of modern art exhibition checklist bibliography index.
In this slim volume the 26year old presented his manifesto of principles and rules for a new typographic practice that summarized contemporary avantgarde convictions about elemental forms clarity com. It is the first manual of typography for designers, as opposed to typography for printers. The book was also a practical manual for practicing designers of the period and has iconic status today as an almost religious text. Jan tschichold was one of the most distinguished typographers of the last century, and has had many admirers, among whom he himself was not the least. Jan tschichold, the tdc, and a mystery the type directors club. I was accused of creatingungerman typography and art, and so i preferred to leave germany. Jan tschichold biography infos for sellers and buyers. This publication included an introduction by ruari mclean, translator of the original, german version, who was also a personal friend of jan tschichold. In 1933 he was expelled from germany under the nazis for creating ungerman.
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