Erik Nitsche
Erik Nitsche (* 7. July 1908 in Lausanne , Switzerland ; † 14. November 1998 in New York City , USA ) was a living in the US Swiss graphic artists and graphic designers , industrial designers and graphic designers specializing in commercial design and internationally renowned for its poster art .
life and work
Erik Nitsche studied in Lausanne, Munich and Paris . In Paris he worked from 1929 to 1932 for the Draeger Frères printing company , later also as a freelance graphic artist. He moved to New York in 1934, where he began a successful career as a graphic designer and art director. At the beginning of the 1960s he returned to Europe, first to Geneva, where he founded the ENI (Erik Nitsche International) publishing house and in the following years produced illustrated books on historical topics and worked on designing children's books , lived from 1965 to 1980 he in Paris, then later for about 10 years in Munich before returning to the USA in 1996.
Erik Nitsche was a pioneer in the design of books , annual reports and other printed materials, which were characterized by a great love for details and the special elegance of a simple presentation. His trademarks were a clear design, brilliant colors, smart typography and adherence to certain geometric principles. He was the artistic advisor to American department stores and international airlines, as well as the art director of the monthly " Record Review ". From 1950 to 1954 he worked for the Museum of Modern Art , 20th Century Fox and Decca Records .
Nitsche is well known for his relationship with General Dynamics , which began in 1953. He designed a number of posters, corporate identity , annual reports and advertising for the company. He was hired as Art Director for General Dynamics and was also responsible for designing the technical details for things like hydraulic systems and cross-sections of aircraft. In 1964, some of his works for General Dynamics were shown at the documenta III in Kassel in the graphics department .
Literature and Sources
- documenta III. International exhibition ; Catalog: Volume 1: Painting and Sculpture; Volume 2: Hand Drawings; Volume 3: Industrial Design, Graphics; Kassel / Cologne 1964
Web links
- Examples of his work: posters
- Examples of his work: graphics
- Examples of his work: MoMa
- Erik Nitsche: The Reluctant Modernist by Steven Heller (en)
- Art Directors Club biography and work examples
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Nitsche, Erik |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Nitsche, Eric |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Swiss graphic artist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | July 7, 1908 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Lausanne , Switzerland |
| DATE OF DEATH | November 14, 1998 |
| Place of death | New York City , USA |