Josef Müller-Brockmann

by Kerry William Purcell

In the ever-evolving world of the contemporary graphic design those who came before are often forgotten in the search of the next big thing. It is surprising then that many new, fashionable designs intentionally conjure work that was created by designers of earlier era - designers who worked not with a computer but with pen and paper - designers like Josef Müller-Brockmann.

One of the twentieth century’s most important graphic designers, the Swiss-born Müller-Brockmann is the father of functional, objective design and an influential figure for generations of designers around the world. While many of his contemporaries moved to the United States and elsewhere in Europe, Müller-Brockmann based himself in Zurich and established his reputation there. He adapted his approach to a changing world, moving from an early illustrative style to a modern constructivist approach, making full use of geometrical form and the grid system to provide an underlying structure to graphic work.

This volume is the most definitive monograph to be published on Josef Müller-Brockmann. It traces Müller-Brockmann’s life from his childhood through his early training, rarely seen designs for the theater, famous posters for the Zurich art scene, corporate design work for clients like IBM, and finally, his efforts to educate young designers. With assistance from the Museum für Gestaltung, Zurich and the Josef Müller-Brockmann Archive, this book is extensively illustrated with completed work, period photographs, rare sketches, concept drawings, and personal photos.

Product Details

- Publisher: Phaidon Press

- Published: 2006

- Dimensions: 290 x 250 mm

- Pages: 292

- Illustrations: 375 col & 75 b&w

- Binding: Hardback

List Price: £45.00

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Editorial Reviews

‘Studies like Purcell's are the rarest of all design books...[he] offers a long, continuous, engagingly well-written account of Müller-Brockmann's entire career.’

Rick Poynor, Design Week (Click Rick Poynor Review.pdf for full copy of the Review)

‘The book is fantastic in its detailed writing, in the wonderful  reproductions of the works, and in the very thoughtful design of Ruedi Baur. I read it all in once: a well lived life.

Wim Crouwel