Die Geburt eines Stils

"The Birth of a Style" by Dorothea Hofmann offers a comprehensive analysis of the Swiss graphic movement that gained international attention in the second half of the 20th century. The book highlights the development of Swiss Design and Swiss Style, which are regarded as hallmarks of high-quality graphic design. Hofmann focuses on Basel and demonstrates how the local educational model of the Allgemeine Gewerbeschule contributed to the emergence of a graphic movement characterized by precision, objectivity, and a willingness to experiment. The author explores the origins of Swiss graphic design back to the 19th century and describes the path to an international style that transcends the boundaries of the Zurich constructive-concrete direction. With 474 pages, the book provides a detailed and nuanced perspective on a significant era in graphic history.