Wolfgang Weingart

Wolfgang Weingart recently (2013) was a recipient of the AIGA Medal; this is the highest honor amongst design professionals. “The medal of AIGA---the most distinguished in the field--- is awarded to individuals in recognition of their exceptional achievements, services or other contributions to the field of design and visual communication. The contribution may be in the practice of design, teaching, writing or leadership of the profession.” Weingart has had a long and industrious career. He is known for being “the father’ of New Wave or Swiss Punk typography. Weingart’s longevity in teaching and creating has earned him a successful and international resume.

In 1963 Weingart moved to Basel, Switzerland from his hometown of Stuggart, Germany. In Basel Weingart met two other graphic designers that would also become well-known for their respective work in the field, Emil Ruder and Armin Hoffman. In the 1970’s Weingart began experimentation with great success of a “more pictorial approach.” Weingart would stack and layer film positives ‘to create juxtapositions of images, text, and textural effects’ in turn this method created a ‘photo-mechanical montage.’