Homework #7

Travel Poster Artists

 During the break between World Wars in Europe, graphics began to focus more on the world and its image. These posters became iconic for the time period and was the most enduring trend of the 20th century graphic design. Movements such as cubism, played an important role in these geometric poster’s designs. Travel posters offered a brief freedom from the political turmoil that surrounded society during this time. 

      A. M. Cassandre was an artist who exemplified the ideal travel poster of the time.  Though born in Ukraine, he moved with his family to Paris at a young age. Growing up he studied art and became a full time graphic designer by the age of twenty two. Many of his designs were bold and simple. His works all create a sense of two-dimensionality from the use of broad planes of color. Cassandre was very much inspired by cubism and surrealism. He was also well known for his impressive typography, and designed his own typefaces. His posters offered many a sense of visual freedom from the visual clutter that could be found in many designs during the time.

      Edward McKnight Kauffer, was another travel poster artist of the 1920’s. Kauffer was born in Montana in 1890. During his time at the University of Utah, his professor became aware of his work, and sponsored him and paid to send him to Paris to study. As a result of this, Edward took on his professor’s last name as his own middle name, McKnight. Later in his career, he traveled to London to escape the war. Kauffer became best known for his London Underground and London Transport posters. These posters each had a different style, ranging from abstract influences, futurism, cubism and even impressionist influences like Japanese woodcuts. He was an artist that never allowed a certain movement to restrain his designs.

Cassandre, Kauffer and Cooper were just a few of the countless travel poster artists of the time. I have found that these artists capture my attention the most because of the simplicity and geometry that they used. Each artist had their own individual design style, and had the ability to capture the viewer and allow freedom to surround them with their art. I find that there are not many artists that are capable of this, maybe that is why I appreciate and respect their designs so much

 Cassandre 1927

Cassandre 1931

Cassandre 1930

Kauffer 1924

 Kauffer 1916

Kauffer 1933

Cooper 1928

Cooper 1924

Cooper 1935