Hard Werken

More about the book

The book "Hard Work – One for All" is the first major publication about the experimental Rotterdam design studio Hard Werken (1979-1994), also known from the magazine of the same name. The anarchist style of Hard Work, averse to typographical conventions and modernist tendencies of that time, made this group known as a brutal and typical Rotterdam phenomenon.This packed, insane book examines the legacy of Hard Werken, places it in an international context, and shows its contemporary relevance. The book shows a wide selection of works and delves deep into Hard Werken's role and meaning in the cultural scene of Rotterdam and beyond. Particular attention is paid to the innovative way in which the group combined different visual languages ​​(graphic design and art, high and low culture). The authors also look at the smart way in which the agency positioned itself in an emerging cultural and commercial context. All this is done on the basis of a lot of visual material and clear, concise texts.