The project was to create a booklet about a 20th century typographer in a style that pays homage to their contributions to the 20th century typography. The final booklet will have at least 12 pages using as many or as few colors and photos of our own choosing.
My first choice was Adrian Frutiger but later change it to Brockmann....
...I made the right choice.
To get started, I created a moodboard as my reference point.
Then I googled everything I need to know about JMB, birth, history, trademark, education , style etc.
Old news but I still want to add it here...
My man, Josef Muller Brockmann was born on 1914 in Switzerland. He was one of the leading pioneers of the Swiss Modernism also known as the International Typographic Style, which developed in Switzerland.
The trademark of the style commandeered by JMB is the use of asymmetric layouts, use of a grid, sans-serif typefaces like Akzidenz Grotesk and flush left, ragged right text. JMB’s style is also associated with a preference for photography in place of illustrations or drawings. And the use of typography as a primary design element in addition to its use in text.
And these information became the foundation for my book.
Below are sketches for this project (cover and one spread).
The book is 8.5 x 8.5. The front is a full image of Brockmann divided into tabs or pages as cover page.
Pages are created in multiple sizes.
Page 1 - Biography
Page 2 - Grid made popular by Brockmann. He did not invent the grid, but he was primarily responsible for its widespread promulgation.
Page 3 - Most recognized work was for the Zurich Town Hall, concert poster. It is simple and straight to the point but bold and fearless during that time.
Page 4 - Highlights how he uses typography as an important factor in his designs. He favors sans serif typeface such as Aksidenz Grotesk, because of it’s simplicity and universal quality.
Page 5 - Photography, Brockmann began experimenting with camera as seen here in his design for the automobile club.
