Synopses & Reviews
Jan Tschichold (1902-1974) is considered by many to be the most influential typographer of the twentieth century. A leading voice of the modernist movement, Tschichold oversaw the redesign of the Penguin and Pelican paperbacks in the late 1940s and devised for them a standardized set of typographic rules. The classical type designs of his late career qualify him as perhaps the first typographic postmodernist. Active Literature, an in-depth study of Jan Tschichold's modernist period, is based on extensive archival research that uncovered a wealth of new photographs of his design work. Author Christopher Burke presents a full portrait of the designer's career and puts into context Tschichold's own account of his life and work.
Synopsis
Jan Tschichold (1902-74) was one of the most outstanding and influential graphic artists and typographers of the twentieth century. "Active Literature" is a thorough study of Tschichold as the premiere proponent of New Typography. Author Christopher Burke uses Tschichold's own books, articles, and personal correspondence to reveal Tschichold as an evangelist as much as a designer. Extensive archival research and a wealth of fresh photographs of his design work put Tschichold's own account of his career, until now the governing narrative, into context. "Active Literature" also features a selection of key texts by Tschichold and an introductory essay by Robin Kinross.
About the Author
Christopher Burke is a type designer, typographer, and the author of Paul Renner: The Art of Typography.