Swiss Typography
+ the art of the letterform
+ the art of the letterform
I created this book as part of a 2nd year college project. The brief was to design stands and a catalogue for a hypothetical exhibition, based on an essay we had written. The text is from an essay I wrote on Swiss Typography.
Constructing the underlying grid for the catalogue was the most strenuous part of the project. Every increment corresponds to the the typography on the page. I included a visible baseline grid on every page, and the whole grid on selected pages.
Also in the box are a set of screen printed postcards, showcasing original work created during the project, a poster referencing Josef Muller Brockmann's work for the Zurich Opera House, and a transparent sheet with the grid from the catalogue printed on it, for use with certain pages within the catalogue.
Also in the box are a set of screen printed postcards, showcasing original work created during the project, a poster referencing Josef Muller Brockmann's work for the Zurich Opera House, and a transparent sheet with the grid from the catalogue printed on it, for use with certain pages within the catalogue.
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/6a02c612966173.560340ed97b01.jpg)
—Screen printed board box, built to house the catalogue, as well as some bonus printed material.
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/f15a5712966153.5603400dd8421.jpg)
—Detail of two-colour screen print on box cover.
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/87fb7a12966169.5603425e30ecc.jpg)
Refinement, an assortment of cream stocks for the chapter on Iteration+OrganisationPerfection.
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/36a61b12966165.5603400fc9262.jpg)
—The grid is visible on this page, every measurement is informed by the height and width of the letterforms.
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/c69a8512966179.560341b150df9.jpg)
—I tried to visualise each chapter title, using cues from the essay and the design of the catalogue.
For the chapter on Refinement, I measured each letter of the word 'refinement' out on paper and hand drew the letters.
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/4bae7812966171.560340ef44055.jpg)
—For the chapter on Iteration+Organisation, I combined several of the most prolific typefaces during the Swiss Typographic movement.
(For the chapter on Perfection, I placed the word in the 'perfect' place on the page, using the Fibonacci sequence to divide the page.)
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/37a23f12966159.5603425dcfd0d.jpg)
—Spread on the shift from serif to sans-serif typography.
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/bd4ddd12966147.560340ef3dc77.jpg)
—Quote from Erik Spiekermann in the film Helvetica.
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/695b8e12966155.5603419b1316d.jpg)
—Spread on the canonical designer Max Huber. I recreated his famous poster for Pirelli, and filled in the background as I imagined it was originally drawn, as the theme throughout the chapter was seeing beyond the finished piece, appreciating the grid.
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/d6ad1f13001953.560341038f504.jpg)
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/61985212966161.5603400f84a71.jpg)
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/8461de13001957.560342a90add7.jpg)
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/a66d6212966149.560341e042011.jpg)
![swiss Switzerland International typographic style Akzidenz Grotesk helvetica Max Huber josef muller brockmann Armin Hofmann](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/b0b12f12966177.5603425d8db59.jpg)
Thank you for browsing through my portfolio. I am actively seeking critique or advice, and would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism, either below in the comments, or in a message.
Photo & video credits: Craig Andrew.