no. 17
SELECTED BYSTEFF GEISSBUHLERWILHELM TELL POSTERPHOTOGRAPHED BYARMIN HOFMANNDESIGNED BYARMIN HOFMANN
The Wilhelm Tell poster is important on many levels. Armin Hofmann blends image and typography with the simplest means. The symbol of an apple, sitting wobbly atop a headlike form, is penetrated by the telescopic letterforms spelling out TELL, indicating the shot from the crossbow.
Using a very familiar set of symbols, especially in Switzerland, the essence of the legend is reduced to the absolute minimum. Its abbreviation of form and content is at its absolute best. It is “constructive, expressive, abstract poetic, objective and unemotional, apparent, and inescapable,” according to Hofmann.
What makes it unique is the fact that the story ...
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access