If ever there was a mid-century designer who exerted influence on a global scale, it is Piet Zwart (Dutch, 1885-1977), and this collector’s book is a special typographic and visual homage commemorating his 80th birthday (1966).
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One of the most innovative figures in 20th-century graphic design, Piet Zwart studied architecture, taught art history, and worked as an interior, fabric, and furniture designer before his career in typography and graphic design took off. Boldly combining influences from a broad range of inspirational sources, his work sits on the crossroads of several opposing design approaches, including Russian Constructivism, Dutch De Stijl, and German Bauhaus, all filtered through his unorthodox training and pragmatic personality.
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His stylistic approach was so unique, it blends playfulness with functionality like no other. He melted imagery from photographs into his typographic work, creating a collage effect that merges three- and two-dimensions into one effectively communicative work.
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On the milestone of his 80th birthday, this special book was compiled by the noted Dutch designer and typographer Jurriaan Schrofer and it was designed by the famous curator Willem Sandberg who was the graphic visionary at Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum for many years. The publication encapsulates Zwart’s design philosophy by offering key excerpts (“keywords”) from his massively important body of work.
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The Château Cramirat Collection is a treasure trove of art and design by philosopher of science Anna Ravitzki and designer Dan Alexander, housed in a 12th-century Templar landmark in the Valley of Mankind, Périgord, France.
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Sandberg, Willem (book designer). Keywords Sleutelwoorden, Piet Zwart 80. The Hague: Staatsdrukkerij, 1966.
