Ist Gestaltung Haltung? Is design attitude?
February 2021
Edition of 30
180 x 250 mm
The bilingual publication GP DP 01 is giving nine different positions towards graphic design and typography. Based on Helmut Schmid‘s essay "gestaltung ist haltung; design is attitude" this book is presenting positions from the likes of Emil Ruder, Josef Müller-Brockmann and more historic positions. To bring it into the contemporary context I could get in touch with Radim Peško, Harsh Patel, Vela Arbutina, Peter Saville and Bernd Kuchenbeiser. The result is a collection of conversations and essays which give the reader an insight into the different possibilities of ones practice. Available on request
„Gestalterische Positionen Designing Positions“ does not intend to be another series of publications with changing protagonists, always answering the same questions in a numbered way. It sees itself much more as a series of writings that deal with different approaches in graphic design. GP DP is a platform to encourage and promote exchange on issues that transcend design. It illuminates historical and contemporary contexts. GP DP is open and aims to encourage readers to exchange, discuss and reflect.
Inspired by Helmut Schmid, who was born in Switzerland in 1942 and was a student of Emil Ruder, I asked myself whether design is attitude or not. The German-Austrian designer passed away in Osaka, Japan in 2018. In his essay “Design is Attitude”, he describes the path to modern typography, the differences between “Basel typography” and “Zurich typography”, but also his own working methodology. For him, the essence of design lies in the work itself and a continuity in the work of the designer. Schmid was able to establish a restrained but at the same time loud design, probably in the spirit of his teacher. His design consistency is at the core of this publication.
This first publication by GP DP thus deals with the question of whether design is attitude. It does not aim to give a definitive answer to this question, but to encourage the viewer to develop his or her own thoughts with regard to a design attitude. Therefore, the book consists of four historical essays as well as five contemporary contributions. The contributions and essays are first reproduced in their original wording, followed by a translation. The bilingual approach seemed sensible to me in order, first and fore-most, not to alienate the original tone of the conversations and essays. The following texts have been arranged in chronological order to show the complexity of the topic, which is worthy of discussion. From pioneers of modern graphic design to formative designers of the current era, approaches, positions and personalities are shown in connection with their work. From general ideas detached from design to explicit clarification of the question, the thought processes of the individual designers can be traced. There can be no search for definitive answers, but the texts provide the impetus for questioning.
Ist Gestaltung Haltung? Is design attitude?
February 2021
Edition of 30
180 x 250 mm
The bilingual publication GP DP 01 is giving nine different positions towards graphic design and typography. Based on Helmut Schmid‘s essay "gestaltung ist haltung; design is attitude" this book is presenting positions from the likes of Emil Ruder, Josef Müller-Brockmann and more historic positions. To bring it into the contemporary context I could get in touch with Radim Peško, Harsh Patel, Vela Arbutina, Peter Saville and Bernd Kuchenbeiser. The result is a collection of conversations and essays which give the reader an insight into the different possibilities of ones practice. Available on request
„Gestalterische Positionen Designing Positions“ does not intend to be another series of publications with changing protagonists, always answering the same questions in a numbered way. It sees itself much more as a series of writings that deal with different approaches in graphic design. GP DP is a platform to encourage and promote exchange on issues that transcend design. It illuminates historical and contemporary contexts. GP DP is open and aims to encourage readers to exchange, discuss and reflect.
Inspired by Helmut Schmid, who was born in Switzerland in 1942 and was a student of Emil Ruder, I asked myself whether design is attitude or not. The German-Austrian designer passed away in Osaka, Japan in 2018. In his essay “Design is Attitude”, he describes the path to modern typography, the differences between “Basel typography” and “Zurich typography”, but also his own working methodology. For him, the essence of design lies in the work itself and a continuity in the work of the designer. Schmid was able to establish a restrained but at the same time loud design, probably in the spirit of his teacher. His design consistency is at the core of this publication.
This first publication by GP DP thus deals with the question of whether design is attitude. It does not aim to give a definitive answer to this question, but to encourage the viewer to develop his or her own thoughts with regard to a design attitude. Therefore, the book consists of four historical essays as well as five contemporary contributions. The contributions and essays are first reproduced in their original wording, followed by a translation. The bilingual approach seemed sensible to me in order, first and fore-most, not to alienate the original tone of the conversations and essays. The following texts have been arranged in chronological order to show the complexity of the topic, which is worthy of discussion. From pioneers of modern graphic design to formative designers of the current era, approaches, positions and personalities are shown in connection with their work. From general ideas detached from design to explicit clarification of the question, the thought processes of the individual designers can be traced. There can be no search for definitive answers, but the texts provide the impetus for questioning.