The Influence of Swiss Style and New Wave Design

CONTEMPORARY GRAPHIC DESIGN IN THE WORLD

August 11, 2021

Graphic design moguls Armin Hofmann and Wolfgang Weingart, playing instrumental roles in the glory days of the Swiss Style (Swiss Internationalism) and the New Wave, passed away respectively in 2020 and 2021.

The Swiss Style, under the framework of modernism, was influenced by Structuralism, Bauhaus, De Stijl and New Typography, and matured by efforts of designers such as Josef Muller-Brockmann, Armin Hofmann and Emil Ruder. Disseminated through the education system of the Basel school of design, the Swiss Style became the cradle of the New Wave. Its influence can be observed across the world, and it has even solidified the definition of graphic design acknowledged by most in the society, laying the foundation of design in education.

In this seminar, Joe Chang, founder of Eyeson Type, introduced the century-old development of the Swiss graphic design. In the 80s, educational events sparking exchange of ideas were launched starting from Basel to the Lausanne School of Design (ECAL), the Geneva School of Design and Art (HEAD–Genève) and other schools. He explained how these events spread the influence of Swiss design and opened up diverse possibilities for the Swiss graphic design by cultivating talents such as Nguyen Gobber, Josh Schaub and Automatico who shaped the Swiss designers and team known to inherit characteristics of rigorous attention to detail and precision, and still break away from stereotypes and celebrate exuberance.

Planned and co-organized by tuanco.︎︎︎.
Published: August 11, 2021. Last Updated: August 16, 2022.