Josef Müller-Brockmann

Swiss designer Josef Müller-Brockmann established himself as one of the most important and prolific voices of twentieth century graphic design, setting up his own studio in Zurich in 1936 and working until his death in 1996 for numerous clients, creating a countless quantity of design for posters, which he considered “barometers of social economic, political, and cultural events, as well as mirrors of intellectual and practical activities.”

Müller-Brockmann’s work ranged from social/civic projects such as posters for the Swiss Automobile Club and Zürich Police to commercial projects for IBM (for whom he was design advisor in western Europe), Rosenthal, and Hermes Typewriters. His large body of work, created as graphic design gained importance during the twentieth century, serves as a gauge for the study of design history and a acted as a harbinger for what was to come.

Illustrated by images of the final designs but also by sketches, production drawings, and unused design drafts from Müller-Brockmann’s archive—and with long captions explaining in detail the design structure and the brief given by the client—the monograph give a complete visual understanding of Müller-Brockmann’s growth as a graphic designer. It is an essential volume for anyone interested in the history of graphic design, design students, and professional designers.

Pages: 272
Dimensions: 290 x 250 mm
Binding: Hardcover
Language: English
Year: 2006
Publisher: Phaidon