Wolfgang Weingart

Wolfgang Weingart was a famous teacher and a design philosopher. He was born in 1941 and was trained as a lead-typesetter. He taught typography for several years in Switzerland. He also taught what is knows as Swiss typography.

Swiss typography was founded in Germany upon the teachings of the Bauhaus soon after World War II. It became a rational approach to typography. The use of grid systems and sans-serif typefaces for clear functional communication contributed to the logical disposition of type and images on the page.

Weingart’s work is characterized by his application of graphical and typographical elements. The emotionally-charged lines, the potent, image-like qualities of his type, the almost cinematic impact of his layouts, all speak of his great passion of creating with graphical forms. His typographic layouts are compelling yet lucid, free yet controlled.

Wolfgang Weingart also went through more experimental and expressive style of typography. He was known to contribute to what was known as New Wave typography which soon grew into Post-modernism. Graphic designers were employing all sorts of methods in the creation of their work. Here is an example of one of his works.

Wolfgang Weingart rejected the international style and laid the foundation for the New-wave typographic movement.

Image: "Typographic Process, Nr 4. Typographic Signs," Wolfgang Weingart, 1971-1972