Typography

911 Words2 Pages

One of the most important aspects of graphic design is typography.

Typography plays a huge role in not only its basic function of communication, but also as a visual design element that can easily make or break a work. Knowing this, I strive to be very strong typographically. An artist that I take typographical inspiration from is Michael Bierut, who happens to be terrific with typography.

Bierut graduated from the Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning in 1980. Upon graduating, he went on to work for Vignelli Associates. In his ten years with Vignelli, he ended up as the vice president of graphic design.

Bierut then moved on to Pentagram’s New York office, where he remains to this day. He has worked with huge clients at Pentagram ranging from museums, sports teams, Walt Disney Company and beyond. Bierut has also received plenty of awards including the highly coveted AIGA medal (Pentagram).

While I am not quite yet at liberty to compare my young, spawning career with that of Bierut and his graphically veteran status, there are similarities. First of all, Bierut is a Senior Critic in Graphic Design at the Yale School of Art. I would like to work in a university at some point in my career also. Additionally, Bierut has worked with some big-time, graphically awesome clients. I would love to do work for clients such as the Walt Disney Company or a professional sports team. He also has his work in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. A piece in the permanent collection of a museum such as the MoMA would be a huge goal accomplished in my career.

If one were to take a look at a selection of works from Bierut’s career, wonderful

typography would undoubtedly be a consistent find. As in the re-brandin...

... middle of paper ...

...ery well in Bierut’s Yale posters, but I certainly chose a

different method.

Socially, these pieces differ. The social aspect does offer up quite a bit of

similarities, but at the core, they are different. Bierut’s posters are pure promotion.

My article is supporting the idea of diversity among designers.

As for the physical discontinuities, they are present in the intended print. Bierut’s posters are to be printed and plastered all over the walls of Yale. My article is printed to be within a magazine, held at preference to the reader.

In the end, these pieces are very similar. I am quite all right with that, being

compared to a winner of the most prestigious medal in graphic design. I often look to Bierut for inspiration, and I am aware that it shows up in my work.

Everybody has to have someone to look up to and Michael Bierut is certainly one of them for me.

More about Typography

Open Document