Modernism

Modernism can be described as a modern thought, character and practice which have the power to improve, create and reshape the environment through experimentation. Movements and ideas were emerged in first half of the 20^th century. These ideas of the early modernists had influenced the development of art, architecture and design.

Modernism in Graphic Design

The leading practitioners were Moholy Nagy, El Lissitzky, Theo Van Doesburg, Herbert Bayer from Bauhaus and Jan Tschichold.

Jan Tschichold

Jan Tschihold was the most powerful influences on the 20^th century typography. He was raised in Germany and worked closely with Pau Renner and moved to Switzerland due the pressure from the Nazis in 1928. Tschihold published a book called Die Neue Typographie (the new typography). In this book he emphasizes the importance of:

• Asymmetry
• Sans serif type (influenced by Bayer)
• Reduction of form to basic geometry
• Preference for single case
• The use of photographs and illustrations
• Influenced the New Typography (1920s and 1930s) 

He even spent part of his carrier with the Penguin Books and he created the covers of all books produced by Penguin.

References

  

Flask, D. (2014). Jan Tschichold : Design Is History. [online] Designishistory.com. Available at: http://www.designishistory.com/1920/jan-tschichold/ [Accessed 27 Dec. 2014].

Flintriver.co.uk, (2014). Flintriver | Branding, Digital Design & Marketing | Milnathort, Perth & Kinross | Graphic Design History – Modernism. [online] Available at: http://www.flintriver.co.uk/blog/item/39-graphic-design-history-modernism [Accessed 27 Dec. 2014].