Bauhaus

Walter Gropius

He studied architecture and started working for Peter Behrens. Gropius was a member of Deutscher Werkbund from 1910. He joined Henry Van de Velde foundation as being the head of the applied arts school.

Gropius founded in 1919 in the city of Weimar, then in 1925 the Bauhaus moved to Dessau which he designed the building Gropius refined the ideas which were put in practice before WW1. The building consisted of three wings; students hostel, workshops and design school which connected by a bridge. He designed concrete pillars set back from the façade to have a glass façade for more light.

Bauhaus

Over the years Bauhaus attracted several students. The Bauhaus combined elements of both fine arts and design education, it was a school were arts meets industry. Vasily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Lyonel Feininger, Georg Muche, and Oskar Schiemmer were among those who taught graphic arts and painting.

When Johannes Itten left László Moholy-Nagy took Itten’s place as a professor. Nagy was a Hungarian painter, photographer and graphic designer. He was the most influential figure after Gropius. 

Composition A 19 - László Moholy-Nagy, 1927

He used perfect opaque shapes, red and black linear shapes overlapping each other which have a certain translucency effect. His graphic works are very similar to the constructivism movements works.

Composition Z VIII - László Moholy-Nagy, 1924

Moholy-Nagy used a flat negative space with overlapping shapes. He used a lot of black, grey, red and yellows. It shows luminosity and transparency in certain forms.

Bauhausbucher 8, Malerei, Fotografie, Film- László Moholy-Nagy,1927

Nagy was responsible for the typography and graphic design of the Bauhaus books. The design of this book is quite rational. It featured clean lines and typeface, all in black, red and white with a chiaroscuro background finish.

References:

• ART HISTORY - The Bauhaus Movement - Dieselpunks. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/art-history-the-bauhaus. [Accessed October 2013].
• Frank Whitford, 1984. Bauhaus.(World of Art). Edition. Thames & Hudson, London.  
• The Bauhaus, 1919–1933 | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/bauh/hd_bauh.htm. [Accessed October 2013].

Constructivism

Constructivism flourished in Moscow, Russia after the Revolution in 1917. The Constructivists; El Lissitzky, Wassily Kandinsky, Kasimir Malevich and Vladimir Tatlin where highly influenced from the previous movements, Cubism and Futurism.

The movement rejected the idea of arts for arts’ sake. It favoured art as a social change that would serve the social purposes. The graphic design in the constructivism movement ranged from product packaging, logos, posters, book covers and advertisements.

El Lissitzky

A Russian designer, typographer, photographer and architect. He is mostly known for the propaganda graphics such as; posters, books and exhibitions.

El Lissitzky, Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge,1919

The red wedge represents the army which are beating the white circle. The use of sans serif typography with bold primary colours and basic shapes.

The diagonal line that’s dividing the image into two creates a certain balance in the composition due to the black against white. The red wedge that’s pointing at the centre of the circle creates a certain rhythm.

Alexander Rodchenko

A Russian artist, designer, sculpture and photographer. He was really influenced from the Russian revolution. Rodchenko’s graphics inspired others such as Jan Tschihold.

Russian Revolution Poster – Alexander Rodchenko

A well recognized poster of Rodchenko which has a stylized design using only few block colours, the use of lettering combined with the design itself was new for the time, so it was quite surprising that the message was still conveyed clearly in the advertisement.

Modern Posters inspired from the Constructivists (Lissitzky & Rodchenko);

References:

• David Britt, 2010. Modern Art: Impressionism to Post-Modernism. London. Thames & Hudson.
• Flask, D. 2013. Constructivism : Design Is History. [online] Available at: http://www.designishistory.com/1920/constructivism/ [Accessed November 2013].

Futurism

Futurism was a movement which lived on publicity. It was an international movement perceived by an Italian designer, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. The Futurists sought to capture the idea of modernity, in the aesthetic of speed, movement and industrial development.

In 1909 Marinetti founded the first Manifesto of Futurism. He saw futurism as a movement which embraces of the human activities. 

Le Figaro (The first Manifesto) – Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, 1909

 “Une assemblée tumultueuse” - Filippo Marinetti, 1919

Since Gutenberg’s invention of movable type, most graphic designs used a vigorous horizontal and vertical structure. Freed from the tradition layout, they animated their pages with a dynamic or non-linear composition.

Umberto Boccioni, Carlo Carrà, Luigi Russolo, Giacomo Balla, Gino Severini & Fortunato Depero where all popular Futurists. Several other Manifestos where followed on by these Futurists on paintings, music, photography, sculpture, architecture, cinema and even clothing.

Reconstruction of the Universe – Giacomo Balla & Fortunato Depero, 1915

New Futurist Theater Company poster -  Fortunato Depero, 1924

Fortunato Depero was amongst the artists who applied futurism to graphic and advertising design. He produced a dynamic poster which incorporates typography and advertising design. A diagonal compositional graphic which has, flat planes of vibrant colour and angular repetitive forms which produce kinetic energy.


The Dynamism of Bodies in Motion of the photographer Etienne-Jules Marey, couldn’t get enough of it was a good sources of inspiration for them due to the human movements depictions.

It was very influential, and could be clearly seen in Giacomo Balla’s work;

Dynamism of a Dog on Leash – Giacomo Balla, 1912

It was one of the most striking paintings at that time because it captured all the physical motion with the use of the repetition of movements. The use of contrasting black against a white background draws your attention on the movement that’s happening. The use of fine streaks in the background and the transparency of the bodies gives a certain illusion of speed.

References:

• David Britt, 2010. Modern Art: Impressionism to Post-Modernism. Thames & Hudson, London.
• Italian Futurism - Smarthistory. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/futurism.html. [Accessed November 2013].

Cubism

Cubism flourished in Paris between 1907 and 1914, by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque which were highly influenced from Paul Cezanne’s work. Cubism was a revolution in the visual arts, the Cubist’s wanted break the perspective of the paintings and emphasize mostly on the two dimensionality of the canvas so they started to fracture the objects into geometric forms.

Cezanne flattened the space in his paintings to place emphasis in their flat surface. He did this to stress the difference between paintings and reality.  It was this flat abstract approach that appealed to the cubists.

The Cubists works were mostly still lifes with musical instruments, newspapers, bottles, glasses or human figures.

Three Musicians - Pablo Picasso, 1921

A two-dimensional painting, the objects are all fragmented in a way that the objects and drawn from multiple angles at the same time they are all messed together to create a good composition. It’s made of repetitive, sharp edged solid block forms. Picasso used monochromatic colours lots of greys, blacks, blues and ochre.

Jean Metzinger, Fernand Léger, Robert Delaunay, Albert Gleizes, Henri le Fauconnier, Marcel Duchamp and Juan Gris adopted the style and joined the Cubists.

Juan Gris

Referred to as the third cubist, although not as famous as Picasso or Braque his work is important when considering the Cubist movement. Gris transformed Picasso and Braques Cubism and making his style became increasingly free and lyrical.

Still Life with Open Window, Rue Ravignan – Juan Gris, 1915

A Cubist still life where Gris used several traditional objects, such as; bowl of fruit, newspapers, books, bottles and balcony window. Gris flattened the composition, and used several geometrical shapes overlapping one another.

The shapes are very balanced with light and dark, positive and negative spaces, one could definitely see the transparency/ opacity there is which creates a certain feel of layers usage.

References:

• Artyfactory.com. 2013. Juan Gris - The Third Cubist. [online] Available at: http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/still_life/juan_gris.htm [Accessed November 2013].
• David Britt, 2010. Modern Art: Impressionism to Post-Modernism. London. Thames & Hudson.
• Gersh-Nesic, B. 2013. Cubism - Art History Basics on Cubism - 1907 - Present. [online] Available at: http://arthistory.about.com/od/modernarthistory/a/cubism_10one.htm [Accessed November 2013].

Art Deco

An influential movement which flourished after the WWI in the United States and Europe. Art Deco affected all forms of design from decorative arts, photography, product design, fine arts, fashion and more. It was modern and it was everywhere.

Art Deco was an eclectic style which developed from Art Nouveau. It’s normally characterized by rich colours, bold geometric shapes and nationalism.

A.M. Cassandre

He was one of the great poster designers of the 20th century. Cassandre’s posters characterize his lifestyle; he used airbrush and stencils to create a stylized image.

Air – Orient, Poste Aérienne, 1932

A lithograph and photomontage designed for an airline based in France. Cassandre used sans-serif typeface, symmetrical layout and geometrical shapes.

A stenciled airbrush graphic which features a stylized bird decoration, the use of black and white against a brown background gives the lithograph a certain contrast.

Dubo – Dubon – Dubonnet, 1932

A serial poster for the Dubonnet wine company, which illustrated the pleasure of drinking, in a group of posters to be seen in rapid succession to convey a complete idea.

It’s a centered lithograph where Cassandre used geometrical shapes and sans-serif typeface. It’s a flat looking design in which Cassandre incorporated warm and cold colours in the background.

References:

• Art Deco and Art History . 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.arthistory.net/artstyles/artdeco/artdeco1.html. [Accessed November 2013].

• MoMA | The Collection | A. M. Cassandre (French, 1901–1968). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=1015. [Accessed November 2013].

Peter Behrens

Behrens was influenced by the developing Art Nouveau , the architect then turned to Deutscher Werkbund. He is one of the most influential designers to; Walter Gropius, Mies Van de Rohe and Le Corbusier.

Just like William Morris and Henry Van de Velde started as a painter and then continued as an architect. In 1907 he started working for AEG, which at the time it was a giant German electrical company. Behrens designed houses and factories but not only, he designed the company’s products and advertising materials.

He started off by designing his own house, with several simple geometric forms that were used such as; lines, circles, squares and triangles in a repetitive order which shows also in other later works.

Behrens is renowned for the AEG Turbine Hall which he designed. A concrete, steel and glass building which the use of big windows it provided daylight to the whole factory. Behrens design provided a neo-classical look to the industrial building. The factory was designed with such foresight, that it still serves the same purpose, several years later.

          He started working on advertising posters for the AEG Company. All of the above posters are made up of Roman elongated Calligraphy letters and simple geometric shapes that creates a certain illusion. Behrens designs are mostly two toned with the use of contrasting colours that brings the artwork to life, he also uses directional lines to create the focus point.

References:

• Alan Bowness, 2003. Modern European Art: From Impressionism to abstraction (World of Art). Edition. Thames & Hudson, London.
• Peter Behrens Biography - Infos - Art Market. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.behrens-peter.com/. [Accessed October 2013].

Art Nouveau Developer: William Bradley

An American self-taught illustrator and artist influenced by Aubrey Beardsley and William Morris. He started working in a printer’s shop which helped him in producing advertisements; layout, typesetting and more.

He became a typographic designer and started working as a wood engraver and typographer. After a while he considered himself freelance graphic designer, started designing many typefaces, such as; Wayside Roman, Missal Initialas, Bewick Roman or Vanity Initials.

The difference between one typeface and another is often very subtle; may be a slight difference in the shape of the serif. But regardless of how small the difference, the typeface, and therefore the appearance of the printed page, will be affected. Nowadays typefaces are rather underestimated.

The Twins design for Chapbook made Bradley a recognized and popular illustrator.

The ChapBook - Will Bradley, 1894

A stylistic design inspired from Japanese woodblock prints. Bradley’s influence from Morris shows from the typography and floral motifs. A repetitive form of human being one considerably bigger than the other. His works are flat with bold colours, very lightly outlined with whiplash curves.

References:

• David Britt, 2010. Modern Art: Impressionism to Post-Modernism. London. Thames & Hudson.
• Kaplan, W.2004.THE ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT IN EUROPE AND AMERICA: DESIGN FOR THE MODERN WORLD. London: Thames & Hudson.
• Will H. Bradley / American Art. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artist/?id=547. [Accessed October 2013].

William Morris - Arts & Crafts Movement

This movement was a reaction against the poor quality of design during the industrial revolution that was destroying their traditional skills and craftsmanship. It was one of the most influential movement originated in England during the Art Nouveau period which was then expanded to  other regions; America and Europe. 

It was led by William Morris and John Ruskin. Ruskin examined the relationship between art, society and labour then Morris put Ruskin’s theories into practice.

                    William Morris - Tulip & Willow Textile Pattern, 1873         William Morris - Windrush, 1883                                                                         

In the beginning Morris tended to create three- dimensional fabric designs. The stylized

flowers and leaves are drawn at a perspective and shaded to give a certain illusion

effect.

Morris was inspired from Medieval and Oriental designs, the use of repetitive

forms in this case flowers helped to create illusion more. In these two designs Morris

used cold and warm colours.

William Morris - Daffodil Chintz, 1891   William Morris- Strawberry Thief, 1883

Further on Morris created two-dimensional designs. He therefore flattened the

design removing the attempt to have realistically looking natural forms, such as;

flowers, leaves, birds and more. The emphasis diverted from the subject to the

importance of colour and line to make the textile look complex and sophisticated. 

Designers Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo and Charles Voysey where inspired from

William Morris’s designs.

A. H. Mackmurdo - Textile Design                     C. Voysey - Birds Minor

References:

• David Britt, 2010. Modern Art: Impressionism to Post-Modernism. London. Thames & Hudson.
• The Arts and Crafts Movement. 2013.  [ONLINE] Available at: http://char.txa.cornell.edu/art/decart/artcraft/artcraft.htm. [Accessed October 2013].
• William Morris - The Arts and Crafts Movement. 2013.  [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/graphic_designers/william_morris.html. [Accessed October 2013].

Art Nouveau Developer: Aubrey Beardsley

Beardsley was a graphic artist, who developed the Art Nouveau movement. He used to combine large areas of flat colour with fine line drawings or monotone (black & white) which looks like there Japanese woodblock prints. The drawings subjects were rather similar to French Symbolism ones due to the mythical and historical influences, but in a more grotesque manner.

The Peacock Skirt - Aubrey Beardsley, 1894

A well balanced black and white lithograph, creating negative and positive space. Beardsley used thin oblique lines that create a certain movement. Natural motifs are also used as a backdrop, as a headpiece and in the dress making it look elaborate.

Poetry - Alphonse Mucha, 1898             ISOLDE - Aubrey Beardsley, 1895

One could definitely see a resemblance in these above artworks; the drapery, hair ornaments, use of fine lines and more. The difference is that Mucha’s artworks are quite painterly and robust while Beardsley’s are flat and simple.

Beardsley started evolving the Art Nouveau characteristics and making it look like a more graphical one.

References:

• David Britt, 2010. Modern Art: Impressionism to Post-Modernism. London. Thames & Hudson.

Art Nouveau : Alphonse Mucha

Art Nouveau was a movement which transformed decorative arts and architecture. During this period artists were inspired from natural organic stuff, angular contours and elegant flowing designs.

The Czech painter & graphic artist, Alphonse Mucha managed to break the wall between art & design to merge them as one . He was inspired from the earlier movement Symbolism, and influenced several other artists.

          Study Of 'Dance'                                              Dance (1898)          
                                                                                                                                                                   

The focal point is the women’s figure which is clearly shown by the use of a circular motif frame behind the figure. The repetitive use of Celtic motifs are eye catching. Mucha enriches the lithograph by using flowers as a decorative purpose.

Mucha used pale pastelish colours so there isn’t that much of contrast in the painting, therefore he used thin lines at the focal point while thicker lines were used further away to make a contrasting effect. This technique is also used in the hair to create a certain sense of texture.

The posture gives an elegant and dramatic feel. Mucha managed to capture the movement as stated in the title itself ‘Dance’ by hair and light flowing drapery.

References:

• ·        Art Nouveau Movement, Artists and Major Works | The Art Story. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theartstory.org/movement-art-nouveau.htm. [Accessed October 2013].
• ·       History of Art: Art Nouveau - Alphonse Mucha. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.all-art.org/symbolism/mucha1.html. [Accessed October 2013].
• ·      MUCHA, Alfons (Alphonse) MUCHA biography by senses-artnouveau.com. 2013.  [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.senses-artnouveau.com/biography.php?artist=MUC. [Accessed October 2013].

Art Nouveau : Eugène Grasset

A Swiss decorative artist, he was considered as the lead in the Art Nouveau movement which influenced Alphonse Mucha.  Grasset is a combination of Pre- Raphaelism and Japanese Art. He designed ceramics, tapestry, fabrics and jewellery, but he was more into posters and stained glass.

He used to portray woman with long flowing hair and he used to include the ambience in which he lived in into the artworks, for example the motifs where a representation of the flora in the nearby forests.

Poster for an exhibition at Grafton Gallaries                        Spring                                      

Grasset is a stained glass worker which shows clearly in the posters he designed. In this specific poster one could see the re semblance between the poster and the stained glass. It was developed and certain characteristics where added but it shows clearly.

Paris Chamber of Commerce & Industry Stained glass window, 1903

Is one of the most important stained glass windows by Grasset. One could clearly see the industrial landscape; railways, factory chimneys, pollution, labourers and more, which are all symbolic to the ‘Industrial Revolution’ period. 

It’s a monochrome stained glass which has identical scrolls in the banner and intricate detail used. One could definitely notice the use of natural flora surrounding the figures. His designs are full of elaborate details and the use of thick & bold black lines makes the artwork protrude. 

References:

• Angelstar Creations, a Short Biograph about Eugene Grasset. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://angelstarcreations.com/writings/grasset/paper.htm. [Accessed October 2013].
• Eugene Grasset, The Father of Art Nouveau | . 2013. [ONLINE] Available at:http://ctgpublishing.com/eugene-grasset-the-father-of-art-nouveau/. [Accessed October 2013].
• Widmann, M.P.W, 2012. Eugène Grasset: A Passion for Design. CTG Publishing.

Graphic Design Introduction

Visual communication has a long history because graphic signs began from the A.D period.

Graphic design is making or choosing images, then arranging them in a way that the image conveys the idea. The artwork must be unified because the composition is one of the most important features of graphic design.

Common uses of graphic design are; logos and branding, magazines, newspapers and books, print advertisements, posters, billboards, website graphics and product packaging. The artwork must be unified because the composition is one of the most important features of graphic design.

Pictograms – A symbol which represents an object or place.

Rebus – A mixture of pictograms and alphabetic signs which conveys the                                  message.

Typography evolved in time, they inherited the Roman alphabet which then started to change; the geometry of the letters, the symmetry and proportions.

Construction of the Roman letters

References:

• Richard Hollis, 2002. Graphic Design: A Concise History,(World of Art). Edition. Thames & Hudson, London.