£50.00
Helmut Schmid Typography
By Helmut Schmid
Edited by Kiyonori Muroga & Nicole Schmid
This bilingual monograph offers a comprehensive exploration of the work of Helmut Schmid. Its spacious design lets each image stand out, while the accompanying text provides an informative yet engaging account of Schmid’s life and career.
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Helmut Schmid was a master of his craft. The Austrian typographer put his own spin on Emil Ruder’s teachings at the Basel School of Design while remaining faithful to the principles of clarity, simplicity and elegance. Blending eastern and western influences, Schmid honed his skills and put them into practice in the fields of editorial design, packaging of ethical drugs and the visual identity of brands such as Pocari Sweat sports drink (Otsuka Pharmaceutical), Maquillage (Shiseido) and IPSA. He also produced publications, such as the famous journal ‘Typographic Reflections’.
Helmut Schmid Typography explores the typographer’s oeuvre in its entirety. The book’s generous design allows each image to breathe, and the accompanying texts narrate Schmid’s life and career in an informative and pleasant manner. Complementing the publications ‘Weingart: Typography’ and ‘Ruder Typography, Ruder Philosophy’, this bilingual monograph completes the Basel school of typographic thought.
Helmut Schmid (1942 – 2018) was a graphic designer, author and teacher and one of the most renowned typographers of the 20th century. Born in Ferlach, Austria, as a German citizen, he was trained as a typesetter before attending typography classes at the Schule für Gestaltung Basel. After a brief stint at Ernst Roch in Montreal, Schmid went to Vancouver before moving to Osaka to work for Nippon International Agency (NIA). In 1971, he returned to Europe and worked at ARE agency designing publicity material for the Press Office of the German Government, for the German Social Democratic Party and the German chancellors Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt. In 1977, Schmid returned to Japan where he again worked for NIA, designing for Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. During his lifetime, Schmid has contributed numerous essays on typography to international magazines such as Typografische Monatsblätter, idea, baseline, and Novum.
Lars Müller Publishers
Lars Müller Publishers, a renowned publishing house based in Zurich, Switzerland, has become a leading name in the world of architecture, design, photography, and contemporary art publications. Founded in 1983 by Lars Müller, a graphic designer with a deep passion for books, the publishing house is known for its carefully curated, visually compelling works that explore the intersections of art, design, and society.
Müller’s journey into publishing began with a desire to create books that were not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. Born in Oslo in 1955, Müller moved to Switzerland in 1963, where he trained as a graphic designer in Zurich. His early career took him to Amsterdam, where he worked alongside the legendary designer Wim Crouwel. Inspired by his mentor and influenced by his experiences, Müller founded his own studio, Integral Lars Müller, in 1982. A year later, he published his first book, marking the beginning of Lars Müller Publishers.
Since its inception, the publishing house has produced over 600 titles, reflecting Müller’s personal interests and his commitment to high-quality content. “I despise well-designed books with weak content,” Müller explains, emphasising his focus on books that combine strong visual elements with substantive, thought-provoking material. His dedication to both form and content has earned the publishing house international recognition.
Lars Müller Publishers is unique in its approach, acting as a ‘school of seeing’ by offering a curated selection of books that distill the overwhelming visual world around us. Müller’s triple role as publisher, editor, and designer allows him to shape each book from its initial concept to its final production, ensuring a cohesive and thoughtful presentation. This hands-on approach, coupled with Müller’s insistence on working closely with authors and artists, has helped establish the publishing house as a leader in independent publishing.
Despite the challenges of the book industry, Lars Müller Publishers has thrived by adhering to Müller’s guiding principles: producing books with enduring value, focusing on topics that personally interest him, and maintaining a small, independent operation. The publishing house is supported by the Swiss Federal Office for Culture, which recognises its contribution to Switzerland’s cultural landscape.
Müller’s impact extends beyond publishing. As an educator, he has taught at universities across Europe, the USA, and Japan, sharing his expertise and passion for design. His influence is also felt through his participation in academic and design juries, including his role as international president of the Alliance Graphique Internationale from 2013 to 2015.
Today, Lars Müller Publishers continues to push the boundaries of visual and intellectual publishing, presenting works that not only document historical developments but also engage with contemporary phenomena. Through its publications, the house remains dedicated to carrying Swiss culture out into the world while bringing global perspectives into Switzerland.
As the publishing house approaches its 44th anniversary in 2027, Müller reflects on the journey with a sense of pride and anticipation. “I look forward to celebrating the four decades of independent publishing,” he says, “and continuing to draw attention to the work we do, sharing it with a discerning and appreciative audience.“
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