Post Modernism 1975-1990

"Spring Dance Ensemble" poster created in 1985 by AdamsMoriekaInc
sourced from www.burningsettlerscabin.com

This poster has many Post Modern elements. The colour combination is very 1980s, and the black and white image has been reduced to its basic elements. The picture is very three dimensional and seems to reach out from the page. The comic book dots in the background and the expressive lines show how designers of the time rejected the design rules from the previous period. The policy of "form follows function" has been ignored here, delivering an artwork that has movement and energy. The tilted axis is reminiscent of Constructivists, and this designer has obviously been inspired by their work.

"Bel Air" armchair designed by Peter Shire in 1982 while
working with The Memphis Group
sourced from www.designapplause.com

This unusual piece of furniture reflects the design period in which it was made. The bright saturated colours used, organic curves and asymmetry are typical, as is the way each element is in a different hue and texture, giving a collaged effect. This designer belonged to an artistic group that challenged the status quo with their unconventional approach to design, and this is evident in this piece.

This design style is engaging in its use of appropriated images and the playful way they are put together. I like this style because it is fun, informal and expressive, with colour, energy and humour keeping it interesting.

Psychedelia 1960-1975

Music poster created by Victor Moscoso in 1967.
sourced from www.wolfgangsvault.com

This example of Psychedelia has the typical raybands and the vibrating optics achieved by using complementary colours in similar strengths. Using an Egyptian image shows the interest in mystical and ancient religions prevalent at the time. The font is warped and hand drawn, which was a feature of those used during this design period, as is the curved shape and Art Nouveau feel to the piece.

Album cover for "Disraeli Gears" created by Martin Sharp in 1967.
sourced from www.optimismsflames.com

This colourful cover has all the trademarks of a typical Psychedelic artwork. The clashing rainbow bright colours, winged shapes adding movement and the photos which would have been reduced to black and white and then recoloured by hand. The collage of unrelated  Victorian and Art Nouveau images is typical of music covers at this time as well as the lack of white space. Psychedelia as a design style and as a lifestyle was all about maximalism.



I enjoy the colourful, vibrant nature of this design style and feel that for me, it is best used in the music and surf/skate industries as it represents the freedom this era embraced. I like the collages and the warped fonts created at a time when all design work was done by hand and appreciate the hours of work these artworks would have required to be made.

Swiss/International 1945-1985

Advertising poster by John Rieben and John Massey produced in 1965.
sourced from www.pinterest.com

This poster is typical of the design period; the photo is a natural documentary style shot using scale to place emphasis on the subject. The typography is left aligned, a sanserif font used and in two base colours, and a minimal layout has been used. The overall look is simple, bold and geometric.

Sports poster created by Eugene and Max Lenz in 1958.
sourced from www.designishistory.com

Here the image draws on post-war feelings to bring the message across to the audience. The colour use is bold and minimal, shapes are geometric and reduced to the extreme basics. The font is sanserif and and in a clear easy to read format, aligned to a single edge. This policy of clarity above ornamentation is typical of the Swiss style.

I like the simplicity of these designs and the graphic way colour and image has been used, however some of the work produced at this time disengages the viewer and seems soul-less. This seems to be typical of designers in immediate post-war history.