Josef

Muller
Brockmann

By Christian Sposta
 Josef Muller Brockmann was
born in Switzerland in 1914.
He studied architecture and
the design and history of art
at the Zurich School for Arts
and Krafts. His style (known
as Swiss design) is inspired
by Constructivism, De Stijl,
Suprematism, and Bauhause.

The majority of his work was

done between 1950 and 1960
and featured minimalist
designs and used grids and
asymmetrical layouts.

Auto Club of Switzerland poster,

1955. This poster was to warn Zurich town hall poster, 1954.
people to watch for children while This poster is is most famous (and
driving. It shows a motorcycle most copied). It shows the times
wheel and wind lines headed for and performers and what will be
an unaware child. Even a quick played.
glance at this poster speaks
volumes.

Zurich town hall poster,

1955. This poster, as well,
is to show performers and
time of the performance. The
angled design captures your
attention. forcing you to get
close to read it.
 1959. Translates to “The
Film,” this poster is a
pinacle of
minimalsim. Showing only
the name, location, and
times of the show.

“The New, Grotesk

Haas,” 1962. Bare
minimum information,
just a name and a
location.

Brockmann’s work was successful

enough to make him the most
recognisable man of Swiss design.
He began teaching at The Zurich
school for Arts and Krafts at the age
of 43. He published several books
on his work. He taught his practices
around the world, even into the early
1990s. He died 1996.