International Typographic Design

Originating in Switzerland, International Typographic design influenced the typographic styles such as Helvetica (1957) and Univers designed by Adrian Frutiger in 1954. Both typefaces feature a sans serif design that was influenced by constructivism , it’s purpose was to be objective and remove any past connections and cultural baggage that is associated with other fonts. It is instead clear and precise, and unlike other fonts can communicate universally; there’s no cultural restrictions.

Designers such as Armin Hoffman and Josef Muller-Brockmann promote these international Types because of their minimalism and lack of nationalist associations. They both utilized the grid system for producing and constructing their designs, the grid system offers:

• Simplicity
• Legibility
• Objectivity

They believed these concepts are all that’s needed when producing text and communicating messages. Wim Crouwel claims type should be “Clarity, clear, readable, straight forward.” This is what the grid system provided for designers.