global village
a term made popular by author Marshall McLuhan in reference to the shrinking human community that resulted from the rapid development of electronic and computer technology
pluralistic
having multiple aspects or themes existing at the same time
Pentagram
Originally named Crosby, Fletcher, Forbes, this design firm changed its name when additional partners were added. Intelligence and a talent for developing design solutions that suited the needs of the client were the hallmarks of their design. Thorough evaluation of the communications problem and the specific nature of the environment conditions under which the design was to appear combined with British wit and a willingness to try the unexpected summarizes the essence of their approach
Why Not Associates
An experimental and multidisciplinary London-based firm whose work includes postage stamps, corporate identity, environmental design, television titles, and motion graphics
Mon
Traditional family symbols or crests in use for thousands of years in Japan, these simplified designs of flowers, birds, animals, plants, and household objects were contained in a circle and applied to belongings and clothing.
Total Design
formed by graphic designer Wim Crouwel, product designer Frisco Kramer, and architectural designer Benno Wissing. They sought a “total image” for clients through integrated graphics, architecture, and products. New Total Identity, it continues to be a major force in European design, with offices in six cities and over 50 professionals on staff
House style
the visual-identity program for a government agency in the Netherlands
Fluxus
a 1960s neo-dadaist movement that explored conceptual and performance art, happenings, experimental poetry, and language art.
Hard Werken Design
In 1978, a group of Rotterdam designers launched a new monthly magazine titles Hard Werken (Hard Working); 2 years later they formed this design group, which was more an informal association than a structured business. The group included Henk Elenga, Gerard Hadders, Tom van der Haspel, Helen Howard, and Rick Vermeulen. Rejecting all styles and theories, its members sought solutions from their subjective interpretation of the problem. Their openness to any conceivable typographic or image possibility resulted in surprising and original results
Wild Plakken
The collaborative group formed by Frank Beekers, Lies Ros, and Rob Schroder in 1977, it had a definite social and political mission. The name can be translated as “Wild Pasting” or “Unauthorized Bill-Posting.” The group accepts or rejects commissions based on the client’s ideological viewpoint; its members believe a designer should match his or her beliefs to the content of hir or her graphic designs
Staged photography
A technique developed by Gert Dumbar when he was a student at London’s Royal Academy of Art during the 1960s, it consists of still life’s and environments incorporating found material and papier-Mache figures and objects sculpted or assembled for the project
closed text
clear, straightforward images that can only be interpretated in one specific, carefully controlled way
open texts
images that could be interpreted in a variety of ways due ti their surrealistic approach
Experimental Jetset
Dutch design firm founded in 1997 by Marieke Stolk, Erwin Brinkers, and Danny van den Dungen. They consider modernism their “mother tongue” and consistently attempt to blend the Dutch modernist heritage of the 1970s with the international post-punk tendencies of the 1980s
Paprika
Montreal-based design studio by Joanne Lefebvre and Louis Gagnon in 1991
Alva
a multidisciplinary design studioH based in Lisbon, consisting of three principal designers: Picardo Matos, Valdemar Lamego, and Diogo Potes. In addition to a wide range of projects and practice areas, they are involved in the promotion of cultural events and organizations in historic Lisbon
Hangul typography
a Korean alphabet created in the mid 15th century
Herbert Spencer
Alan Fletcher, Colin Forbes, Bob Gill
Theo Crosby
Vaughan Oliver
Michael Johnson
Vince Frost
Siobhan Keaney