Colourful theatre programme covers displayed

Articles

A selection of graphic design articles based on the design artefacts in the archive. Articles discussing aspects of design such as logos, advertisements, posters and book covers. Explore historical context and its impact on the field of graphic design.
Colourful theatre programme covers displayed
Stamps, Dick Bruna and the Making of Miffy

Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles, Ephemera, Members Only Content

Stamps, Dick Bruna and the Making of Miffy

Beyond his books, Dick Bruna's vivid colour and simplified forms found their way onto posters, packaging, murals and stamps, many of which feature in my growing collection.

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Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

Members Only Content, Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles

Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

An article on Valentin Zietara , originally in German, published in Gebrauchsgraphik, 10, 1930, written by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

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The Steglitz Workshop by Dr. J. Loubier

Members Only Content, Designer Profiles, Studios & Collectives

The Steglitz Workshop by Dr. J. Loubier

A 1903-1904 article on Die Steglitzer Werkstatt, originally in German, published in Deutsche Kunst und Dekoration, Vol. XIII, October 1903–March 1904.

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130 Kantō, Chūbu and Tōhoku Lottery Tickets, 1966 – 1971

Regional Histories, Ephemera, Illustration, Members Only Content

130 Kantō, Chūbu and Tōhoku Lottery Tickets, 1966 – 1971

A collected visual record of the Kanto, Chubu and Tohoku Lottery tickets.

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April Greiman and her Hybrid Imagery

Designer Profiles, Members Only Content, Movements

April Greiman and her Hybrid Imagery

April Greiman is known for her experimental approach to graphic design,  her role in the development of Californian New Wave and being one of the first designers to fully embrace the computer in her work.

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84 Tickets from the Rural Medical Care Promotion Lottery, Japan, 1974–82

Illustration, Ephemera, Members Only Content, Regional Histories

84 Tickets from the Rural Medical Care Promotion Lottery, Japan, 1974–82

A collected visual record of the first eight years of Japan’s Rural Medical Care Promotion Lottery.

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Ludwig Hohlwein by Ernst Gundermann. Translated from Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles, Members Only Content

Ludwig Hohlwein by Ernst Gundermann. Translated from Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

A 1936 article on Ludwig Hohlwein, originally in German, published in Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

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Another 50 Japanese Lottery Tickets

Regional Histories, Ephemera, Illustration, Members Only Content

Another 50 Japanese Lottery Tickets

A continuation of my last article: 50 tickets from Japan spanning nearly 50 years (1956–2004). This time it's another 50, spanning 50 years, 1956–2006.

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50 Japanese Lottery Tickets

Ephemera, Illustration, Members Only Content, Regional Histories

50 Japanese Lottery Tickets

50 tickets from Japan spanning nearly 50 years (1956–2004).

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60 Examples of Czech Typography from 1910, Typografia

Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content, Regional Histories, Typography & Type Design

60 Examples of Czech Typography from 1910, Typografia

60 examples of Czech typography from Typografia Vol. 21 (1910). Czech commercial printing and book design as Secession ornament progressed to early modernist typography, with work by Alois Rieger, Methoděj Kaláb, Alois Chvála and many more.

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Euro Deco. European Art Deco Graphic Design

Movements, Advertising Design, Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content

Euro Deco. European Art Deco Graphic Design

Art Deco graphic design history: its Paris origins, key pioneers Cassandre, Carlu and McKnight Kauffer, and how the style evolved across Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and the US.

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100 Indian Matchbox Labels, c.1945–1975

Ephemera, Design Archive Feature, Illustration, Members Only Content

100 Indian Matchbox Labels, c.1945–1975

100 Indian matchbox labels, c.1945–1975. Nationalist iconography, illustrated wildlife, and trade marks from small manufacturers across India

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Articles focused on graphic design history from the 1920s

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Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

Members Only Content, Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles

Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

An article on Valentin Zietara , originally in German, published in Gebrauchsgraphik, 10, 1930, written by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

Read Article
Euro Deco. European Art Deco Graphic Design

Movements, Advertising Design, Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content

Euro Deco. European Art Deco Graphic Design

Art Deco graphic design history: its Paris origins, key pioneers Cassandre, Carlu and McKnight Kauffer, and how the style evolved across Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and the US.

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Industry Unions and Design Magazines

Design Archive Feature, Design Education, Magazines & Publishing, Members Only Content

Industry Unions and Design Magazines

Across Europe, industry unions and trade journals shaped the professionalisation of graphic design between 1890 and 1930. Journals such as Typografia, Das Plakat, The Penrose Annual and Typographische Jahrbucher.

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Articles focused on graphic design history from the 1930s

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Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

Members Only Content, Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles

Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

An article on Valentin Zietara , originally in German, published in Gebrauchsgraphik, 10, 1930, written by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

Read Article
Ludwig Hohlwein by Ernst Gundermann. Translated from Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles, Members Only Content

Ludwig Hohlwein by Ernst Gundermann. Translated from Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

A 1936 article on Ludwig Hohlwein, originally in German, published in Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

Read Article
Euro Deco. European Art Deco Graphic Design

Movements, Advertising Design, Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content

Euro Deco. European Art Deco Graphic Design

Art Deco graphic design history: its Paris origins, key pioneers Cassandre, Carlu and McKnight Kauffer, and how the style evolved across Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and the US.

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Articles focused on graphic design history from the 1940s

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The Work of Bradbury Thompson for Westvaco Inspirations for Printers

Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content

The Work of Bradbury Thompson for Westvaco Inspirations for Printers

Westvaco Inspirations was founded in 1925 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. Bradbury Thompson’s produced approximately sixty issues, experimenting with typography, photography, and illustrations.

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Paul Rand and Erik Nitsche: Promoting Ohrbach’s Department Store

Advertising Design, Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content, Regional Histories

Paul Rand and Erik Nitsche: Promoting Ohrbach’s Department Store

These advertisements marked a move away from the illustrated American ads of glamour and American life, and instead used modernist principles and illustrated animals and characters to have a friendlier, more distinctive style of communication.

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Hanns Lohrer. Award-winning posters and illustrations from Gebrauchsgraphik, 01, 1951

Design Archive Feature, Illustration, Members Only Content, Poster Design

Hanns Lohrer. Award-winning posters and illustrations from Gebrauchsgraphik, 01, 1951

In 1949, the Bund Deutscher Gebrauchsgraphiker held the first Die besten Plakate des Jahres competition to showcase top German poster design. Hanns Lohrer was one of eight award winners. Designs scanned from Gebrauchsgraphik, 01, 1951.

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Articles focused on graphic design history from the 1950s

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100 Indian Matchbox Labels, c.1945–1975

Ephemera, Design Archive Feature, Illustration, Members Only Content

100 Indian Matchbox Labels, c.1945–1975

100 Indian matchbox labels, c.1945–1975. Nationalist iconography, illustrated wildlife, and trade marks from small manufacturers across India

Read Article
The Work of Bradbury Thompson for Westvaco Inspirations for Printers

Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content

The Work of Bradbury Thompson for Westvaco Inspirations for Printers

Westvaco Inspirations was founded in 1925 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. Bradbury Thompson’s produced approximately sixty issues, experimenting with typography, photography, and illustrations.

Read Article
Pubblicità in Italia 1959-60. An Overview of Italian Advertising

Advertising Design, Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content, Regional Histories

Pubblicità in Italia 1959-60. An Overview of Italian Advertising

Following on from my previous article on publicity design from 1957-58, an additional annual from 1959-60 showcases another year of great advertising and design from Italy.

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Articles focused on graphic design history from the 1960s

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130 Kantō, Chūbu and Tōhoku Lottery Tickets, 1966 – 1971

Regional Histories, Ephemera, Illustration, Members Only Content

130 Kantō, Chūbu and Tōhoku Lottery Tickets, 1966 – 1971

A collected visual record of the Kanto, Chubu and Tohoku Lottery tickets.

Read Article
100 Indian Matchbox Labels, c.1945–1975

Ephemera, Design Archive Feature, Illustration, Members Only Content

100 Indian Matchbox Labels, c.1945–1975

100 Indian matchbox labels, c.1945–1975. Nationalist iconography, illustrated wildlife, and trade marks from small manufacturers across India

Read Article
design systems for international corporations by Henrion Design Associates

Corporate Identity & Branding

design systems for international corporations by Henrion Design Associates

A 1971 portfolio and exhibition catalogue documenting the corporate identity work of Henrion Design Associates, a rare find revealing the full scope of FHK Henrion's branding practice.

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Articles focused on graphic design history from the 1970s

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130 Kantō, Chūbu and Tōhoku Lottery Tickets, 1966 – 1971

Regional Histories, Ephemera, Illustration, Members Only Content

130 Kantō, Chūbu and Tōhoku Lottery Tickets, 1966 – 1971

A collected visual record of the Kanto, Chubu and Tohoku Lottery tickets.

Read Article
84 Tickets from the Rural Medical Care Promotion Lottery, Japan, 1974–82

Illustration, Ephemera, Members Only Content, Regional Histories

84 Tickets from the Rural Medical Care Promotion Lottery, Japan, 1974–82

A collected visual record of the first eight years of Japan’s Rural Medical Care Promotion Lottery.

Read Article
100 Indian Matchbox Labels, c.1945–1975

Ephemera, Design Archive Feature, Illustration, Members Only Content

100 Indian Matchbox Labels, c.1945–1975

100 Indian matchbox labels, c.1945–1975. Nationalist iconography, illustrated wildlife, and trade marks from small manufacturers across India

Read Article

Articles focused on graphic design history from the 1980s

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April Greiman and her Hybrid Imagery

Designer Profiles, Members Only Content, Movements

April Greiman and her Hybrid Imagery

April Greiman is known for her experimental approach to graphic design,  her role in the development of Californian New Wave and being one of the first designers to fully embrace the computer in her work.

Read Article
84 Tickets from the Rural Medical Care Promotion Lottery, Japan, 1974–82

Illustration, Ephemera, Members Only Content, Regional Histories

84 Tickets from the Rural Medical Care Promotion Lottery, Japan, 1974–82

A collected visual record of the first eight years of Japan’s Rural Medical Care Promotion Lottery.

Read Article
Women Graphic Designers in 1980s America

Advertising Design, Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content, Regional Histories

Women Graphic Designers in 1980s America

This article is part of my ongoing effort to spotlight the unsung heroes of design history. I'm especially passionate about sharing voices and designs that have been overlooked or forgotten. In this piece, I focus on the work of 1980s American graphic designers, in particular, the women who broke boundaries and shaped American visual culture.

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Articles focused on graphic design history from the 1930s

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Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

Members Only Content, Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles

Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

An article on Valentin Zietara , originally in German, published in Gebrauchsgraphik, 10, 1930, written by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

Read Article
Ludwig Hohlwein by Ernst Gundermann. Translated from Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles, Members Only Content

Ludwig Hohlwein by Ernst Gundermann. Translated from Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

A 1936 article on Ludwig Hohlwein, originally in German, published in Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

Read Article
Euro Deco. European Art Deco Graphic Design

Movements, Advertising Design, Design Archive Feature, Members Only Content

Euro Deco. European Art Deco Graphic Design

Art Deco graphic design history: its Paris origins, key pioneers Cassandre, Carlu and McKnight Kauffer, and how the style evolved across Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and the US.

Read Article

Designer Profiles


Stamps, Dick Bruna and the Making of Miffy

Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles, Ephemera, Members Only Content

Stamps, Dick Bruna and the Making of Miffy

Beyond his books, Dick Bruna's vivid colour and simplified forms found their way onto posters, packaging, murals and stamps, many of which feature in my growing collection.

Read Article
Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

Members Only Content, Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles

Valentin Zietara, by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

An article on Valentin Zietara , originally in German, published in Gebrauchsgraphik, 10, 1930, written by H K Frenzel translated by E. T. Scheffauer

Read Article
The Steglitz Workshop by Dr. J. Loubier

Members Only Content, Designer Profiles, Studios & Collectives

The Steglitz Workshop by Dr. J. Loubier

A 1903-1904 article on Die Steglitzer Werkstatt, originally in German, published in Deutsche Kunst und Dekoration, Vol. XIII, October 1903–March 1904.

Read Article
April Greiman and her Hybrid Imagery

Designer Profiles, Members Only Content, Movements

April Greiman and her Hybrid Imagery

April Greiman is known for her experimental approach to graphic design,  her role in the development of Californian New Wave and being one of the first designers to fully embrace the computer in her work.

Read Article
Ludwig Hohlwein by Ernst Gundermann. Translated from Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles, Members Only Content

Ludwig Hohlwein by Ernst Gundermann. Translated from Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

A 1936 article on Ludwig Hohlwein, originally in German, published in Graphische Nachrichten, Vol 13, 11, November 1934

Read Article
Dennis Bailey (Modernist Graphic Design in Britain 1945–1980)

Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles

Dennis Bailey (Modernist Graphic Design in Britain 1945–1980)

A profile of British designer Dennis Bailey, featured in Modernist Graphic Design in Britain 1945–1980 by Ian McLaren and Tony Pritchard, exploring his early influences and role in shaping post-war modernist graphic design in Britain.

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The Art Deco Cover Designs of Joseph Binder

Advertising Design, Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles, Members Only Content

The Art Deco Cover Designs of Joseph Binder

Joseph Binder translated machine-age aesthetics into refined Art Deco compositions. These magazine covers have become prime examples of American commercial modernism.

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Bob Salpeter – A Man of Ideas, Humour and Extensive Work

Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles, Members Only Content

Bob Salpeter – A Man of Ideas, Humour and Extensive Work

Bob Salpeter was trained by Paul Rand at IBM and educated in New York, at the School of Visual Arts and the School of Industrial Art. Salpeter went on to build an extensive and impressive career working with clients such as the American Museum of Natural History, the World Golf Hall of Fame, the American Cancer Society, Scott Printing and IBM.

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