wiedler.ch

book (design) story #71

otto mänchen-helfen:
drittel der menschheit

verlag der bücherkreis gmbh., berlin, 1932
printer: vorwärts buchdruckerei, berlin
size: 23 x 14 cm
designer: jan tschichold

otto mänchen-helfen (1894-1969) had written a book about asia for the bücherkreis before (see story 11). again, jan tschichold (1902-1974) designed the book, and its dustjacket is unique: the title message – a third of world 's population being east asian– is visualized using a method for pictorial statistics later known as "isotype", short for international system of typographic picture education. isotype was developed by viennese sociologist otto neurath (1882-1945) in cooperation with graphic designer gerd arntz (1901-1988). the redesigned bücherkreis logo (see story 70) was also inspired by the isotype style.

the yellow and brownish red of the cover are colours that tschichold apparently associated with asia – he used them for book 11, too.

paul renner's futura typeface rules.