Josef Muller Brockman

A Swiss graphic designer and teacher, whom worked hard, having studied architecture, design and history of art at the University of Zurich and Kunstgewerbeschule (school of arts and crafts) the name of an art school within countries that spoke the German language, which existed until 1945, in Zurich. Josef was born in 1914 in Switzerland, his first steps towards a career in Graphic Design was when Josef started an apprenticeship as a Graphic Designer in Zurich, 1930, however he did not complete the apprenticeship, instead he worked as a freelance designer and Illustrator. Eventually after having worked in design for a long period of his life, Josef became one of the leading pioneers of Swiss Modernism.

His work depicts great use of image rather than text, basing his designs thoroughly on attractiveness and beauty. Although most of his work consists of clear block structures, Josef creates a texts which are neatly placed beside each design.

Josef grew up within the era of modernism; he was influenced early by his surroundings and began to take an interest in art, he continued his journey for the search of new ideas after having served in the Swiss army during the Second World War. Josef never exactly knew where he was heading with his designs however he taught himself through his desire to seek knowledge.

“As a young person I had no clear perception of my future-I only knew that my professional career depended on my energy, self-criticism, discipline, and a permanent desire to learn” Josef Muller Brockmann.

Brockmann J. “Designer: Josef Muller Brockmann” (2008) [Online] Available at:

http://www.graphis.com/masters/master/josef-muller-brockman/bio/