” We sometimes discover something very elementary through the most individual expression, while very fundamental visual research could lead to an unexpected grade of expression.”
Wim Crouwel was born on November 21, 1928 in Groningen, Netherlands. Crouwel was trained at the Academy of Arts and Crafts Grningen and the Institute for Arts and Crafts Amsterdam. Crouwel began his design career in 1951 as a freelancer. In 1956, he went into partnership with Kho Liang Je. A year later he collaborated with him in the Atom Exhibition, Amsterdam. Crouwel was awarded the Belgian Ordre Leopold II with Tom de Heus for designing the Benelux pavilion at the Brussels World Fair.
In 1963, Crouwel founded Total Design with Benno Wissing, Friso Kramer and the Paul Schwarz and Dick Schwarz. Since 1928, Crouwel designed extensive of work for the Stedelijk Museum from 1964 to 1985. After leaving Total design in 1980, He became a full time professor at Delft University.
Who doesn’t know Wim Crouwel. When I ask graphic design student who is your favorite designers, Crouwel is one of them. The strict geometric forms into his poster and logo designs make people easily recognize. I went to the Crouwel / Vignelli’s lecture on October 25, 2007. Crouwel and Vignelli were awesome. They always stress on their philosophy and belief as modernism.
I knew that I had a chance to met Crouwel. I purposely bought a silver ink pen for his autobiography. (see below)
3 comments
Lisa says:
Feb 20, 2012
Excellent drmecuntaoy! It’s mad me want to go back and look at Vignelli’s work as well as the whole design woprld of the mid-’50s to early ’60s the high noon of Modernism.
aswin sadha says:
Feb 20, 2012
I have posted Vignelli as well. You could see my other posts featuring designers in the modernism era.
Thinking Georg Staehelin. 09 13 1942 | THINKINGFORM says:
Sep 13, 2012
[...] Basel from 1963 to 1964. He moved to Amsterdam to work with Total design which just established by Wim Crouwel, Benno Wissing, Friso Kramer and Paul Schwarz and Dick Schwarz from 1966 to 1969. He worked as with [...]