Kurt Wirth was born in Bern in 1917 and studied graphics from 1933 to 1936. He opened his illustration studio in 1937, working with newspapers and magazines. His first exhibition took place in 1943. In 1951, he traveled to Paris, southern France, and Italy, expanding his work to include posters for Swissair, exhibitions, and tourism. From 1956 to 1959, he led the Association of Swiss Graphic Designers. In 1960, he resumed art and study trips to various countries and designed book covers for Fischer editions, posters for pharmaceutical companies, and wrote a drawing manual in 1965.
Explore related designers including Donald Brun and Herbert Leupin. See also Swiss graphic design history and 1950s graphic design history.
Membership from £2.49/month unlocks articles researched and inspired by the artefacts in the collection.
From the graphic design archive:
From the graphic design archive:
From the graphic design archive:
From the graphic design archive:
From the graphic design archive:
From the graphic design archive:
From the graphic design archive:
Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles, Ephemera, Members Only Content
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
Members Only Content, Design Archive Feature, Designer Profiles
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
Members Only Content, Designer Profiles, Studios & Collectives
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