Otl Aicher studied at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Munich before returning to Ulm. Here, he had his graphic art studio from 1948 to 1955. He was co-founder of the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Ulm in 1949, and continued his association with that institution as a lecturer. He is best known for the design of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich with his team and for his design of pictogram systems.

Explore related designers including Josef Müller-Brockmann and Rolf Müller. See also Bauhaus, German graphic design history, and 1960s graphic design history.

Articles Featuring the Work of Otl Aicher

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One of Otl Aicher's lesser-known works was the identity and publicity for the Gastein Valley. Gastein valley was a resort for the elderly, an Austrian Alpine village in the Austrian state of Salzburg

Artefacts Featuring the Work of Otl Aicher

Der Flughafen München: Ein Jahrhundertwerk, Leo, 1992

From the graphic design archive:

Der Flughafen München: Ein Jahrhundertwerk, Leo, 1992

  • Format: 2 Books in Case
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 1992
Sport und Design, Katalog zur Ausstellung beim Olympischen Kongress, Baden-Baden, 1981

From the graphic design archive:

Sport und Design, Katalog zur Ausstellung beim Olympischen Kongress, Baden-Baden, 1981

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 1981
Greifen und Griffe, Walther König, 1987

From the graphic design archive:

Greifen und Griffe, Walther König, 1987

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 1987
Guidelines and Standards for the Visual Design: The Games of the XX Olympiad Munich 1972, Verlag Niggli, 2019

From the graphic design archive:

Guidelines and Standards for the Visual Design: The Games of the XX Olympiad Munich 1972, Verlag Niggli, 2019

  • Format: Book / Brand Guidelines
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 2019
Otl Aicher’s Isny, How a German town defied the postcard mentality, Place Press, 2017

From the graphic design archive:

Otl Aicher’s Isny, How a German town defied the postcard mentality, Place Press, 2017

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 2017
Die Küche zum Kochen, Callwey München, 1982

From the graphic design archive:

Die Küche zum Kochen, Callwey München, 1982

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 1982
Typographie Otl Aicher, Schmidt Hermann Verlag, 2005

From the graphic design archive:

Typographie Otl Aicher, Schmidt Hermann Verlag, 2005

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 2005
Kritik am Auto, Callwey München, 1984

From the graphic design archive:

Kritik am Auto, Callwey München, 1984

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 1984
Otl Aicher, Gestalter, Hatje Cantz Verlag, 2011

From the graphic design archive:

Otl Aicher, Gestalter, Hatje Cantz Verlag, 2011

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Weidner Händle Atelier, Berthold Weidner
  • Year: 2011
Das Allgäu (bei Isny), Otl Aicher, 2012

From the graphic design archive:

Das Allgäu (bei Isny), Otl Aicher, 2012

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 2012
Olympische Bauten München 1972,  2. Sonderband: Bestandsaufnahme Herbst 1970, Architektur Wettbewerbe, 1970

From the graphic design archive:

Olympische Bauten München 1972, 2. Sonderband: Bestandsaufnahme Herbst 1970, Architektur Wettbewerbe, 1970

  • Format: Magazine
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 1972
Otl Aicher, Phaidon Press, 2015

From the graphic design archive:

Otl Aicher, Phaidon Press, 2015

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Otl Aicher
  • Year: 2015

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