wiedler.ch

book (design) story #260

richard paul lohse, josef müller-brockmann, hans neuburg, carlo vivarelli:
neue grafik / new graphic design / graphisme actuel

verlag otto walter ag, olten, 1958
size: ?? x ?? cm
designer: carlo vivarelli

in 1958 four zürich-based graphic designers launched this new magazine. the team of editors constisted of richard paul lohse (1902-1988), josef müller-brockmann (1914-1996), hans neuburg (1904-1983), and carlo vivarelli (1919-1986). the team signed some of their jointly written articles with the acronym "lmnv", formed from their initials.

"neue grafik" epitomizes swiss new new typography of the 1950s. above: the title page and an ad designed by karl gerstner. (gerstner and his partner markus kutter published a book in a very similar vein in 1959 – see story 37).

the opening article is a historical essay on "the influence of modern art on contemporary graphic design" by lohse. the reproductions show many great examples of influential modernist paintings and graphic designs.

there is an article by the "lmnv" team on photography in modern graphic design, illustrated by an "abstract" colour photograph by rené groebli.

while hans neuburg introduces a selection of great swiss posters from the years 1931-1957, ...

... ernst scheidegger writes about the hfg ulm (below). there is also an article by max bill.

in this first number of the magazine, the four editors are featured with pictures and short bios. "neue grafik" ceased publication in 1965 after issue 17/18. copies of this great magazine are quite hard to find today.

so i was very happy this xmas when i opened a flat square present wrapped in bright magenta paper – to find this pristine copy of "neue grafik" number one. thank you and lots of love, my dear friend!

the design of the magazine never changed – as we see in the photo below of a whole bunch i finally found. while the first issue was designed by carlo vivarelli, hans neuburg is credited for the layout of the later issues in the same style.