West-Berlin Grafik-Design

More about the book

After World War II, the victorious powers struggle to agree on Germany's future, leading to the Cold War and the division of Germany into two states. In Berlin, this division is marked by the construction of a wall in 1961, isolating West Berlin behind the Iron Curtain. Until the wall's fall in 1989, West Berlin becomes a unique political and cultural entity, boasting its own vibrant cultural scene, press, and graphic design. This book reveals the design history of West Berlin for the first time, showcasing significant contributions like the modernist posters of SFB promoting new music concerts, and Anton Stankowski's "Berlin Layout," the first modern corporate identity system for a city. It highlights Christian Chruxin's serial book covers for left-wing publishers, the innovative graphic design by Jürgen Spohn, Volker Noth, and Ott+Stein for cultural institutions, and the logos representing West Berlin over three decades. The book also covers information design by Erik Spiekermann for the public transportation system and corporate design solutions by Jack N. Mohr for local businesses. Featuring over 500 illustrations, numerous interviews, and some unpublished works, this exploration takes readers on a journey through a city that has vanished from the map.