Post Modernism movement

Post modernism emerged in mid 60’s which was the new response towards modernism. The new style influenced various disceplines of design including architecture, graphics and applied arts. There are several characteristics which lend art to being postmodern; these include bricolage, the use of words prominently as the central artistic element, collage, simplification, appropriation, performance art, the recycling of past styles and themes in a modern-day context, as well as the break-up of the barrier between fine and high arts and low art and popular culture.Post modernism was directly influenced by elements of Dada, Constructivism, pop art, Bauhaus and International typography 

poster by Tissi

Wolfgang Weingart

The principle behind postmodernism was their opposition to modern philosophy fundamentals which were established by modern art that came before. The postmedernist rejcted and challenged the elements of discipline and order which were established by the Bauhaus. They based their work on the swiss design principles of graphic design elements. By the late 60’s with the some designers were fed up with following these rules which in their opinion restricted the page and started to break the rules to create less of a predictable outcome which would be a reflection of their expression(i.e. Destructivism). At the fore front of this new approach were designers, Odermatt and Tessi in zurich and Wolfgang Weingart in Basel..

Weingart became a famous figure and influencer in the 70’s. Weingart rejected dogma typographers like Tschihold, Ruder and Gerstner. His style adopted an electric and anarchic approach which was known as New Wave. Weingart often sacrificed legibility for expression.
Postmodernism was to spark the emergence of punk and grunge style in graphic design which would adhere to its philosophy of rejecting the rules and adopted the deconstructive and anarchic approach.



References

The Thames and Hudson
Dictionary of Graphic design and Designers
1992-98 Thames and Hudson Ltd,

 London UK

http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/elab/hfl0242.html

http://www.moma.org/collection/theme.php?theme_id=10174

http://ha065.wordpress.com/gamswen/postmodern-graphic-design/

http://gds.parkland.edu/gds/!lectures/history/1975/postmodern.html

All accessed 24/1/2014 1700