Weekly Design Inspirations #10 — 1920s Constructive Designs Where Type Meets Geometry

Last year, I visited Bard Graduate Center for Jan Tschichold and the New Typography exhibition. I observed innovative graphic designs that used asymmetrical layouts, sans serif letterforms, and integration of photography from 1920s Weimar period. Jan Tschichold’s Die Neue Typographie (The New Typography), published 1928, interpreted constructive design trends from the time, and became the influential guide book for later designers. Graphics from the era celebrated the modern industrialization that were also free from restrictive traditions with the new printing technologies.

“The liveliness of asymmetry is an expression of our own movement and that of modern life”
— Jan Tschichold in 1928

1 — Tanzfestspiele by Max Burchartz

German photographer Max Burchart’s typophoto poster, the combination of type and photography, for Tanzfestspiele (Dance Festival) exmplifies the new art and design movement with its assymetric composition and dynamic movement of female dancers.