Overview
I studied Graphic Design. This comes with certain pleasures not necessarily shared by other avenues of learning. Stationery shopping for example - thrilling. Discussions about the simplistic genius of Helvetica? Never boring. Kerning? Fascinating. Typography? Riveting. And stock - don't get me started on stock. Call me the business card guys off American Psycho, I don't mind, without apology, these are some of my favourite things. And if you're still reading, chances are, they're some of your favourite things too. In which case, this film should definitely be tacked onto your must see list.
The Visual Language of Herbert Matter is an exploration into the fascinating life of the mid-century modern designer. Matter is largely credited for the expanding use of photography as a design tool, along with his experimentation that saw the semantics of fine art crossing into the applied arts.
Matter is perhaps notably famous for a series of cutting-edge Swiss travel posters that received international acclaim for the experimental use of photo-montage and typography. His design portfolio also stretches into photographing the early furniture of Charles and Ray Eames and creating covers for Vogue and Arts & Architecture. He also worked as a film maker and lectured on Arts at Yale University - my kind of fella.
Reviews for The Visual Language of Herbert Matter have seen high praise for its in depth look at the life of this design icon; acclaim that has come from the wider film community as well, not only those of us who get excited about a perfectly sharp pencil.
Showing for one night at The Academy Cinemas, this film will definitely be a story of visual inspiration.