From 1953 until it closed in 1968 the influential Ulm School of Design in Germany was one of the world’s most important contemporary design academies. Regarded as being second only to the Bauhaus, the Ulm School rejected design as an artistic activity, and focused instead on inter-disciplinary work and objective design analysis. Its highly strict methodology and understanding of corporate identity, branding and communications theory resulted in iconic mid twentieth century designs that remain utterly modern, such as the system of pictograms designed for the 1972 Munich Olympics and the design for German airline Lufthansa’s corporate branding which involved graphic design, logos, typography and packaging. Curated by the Hochschule für Gestaltung Archive, a department of the Ulm Museum. An exhibition by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen e. V. (ifa), Stuttgart, Germany, www.ifa.de
Public Programs: Friday 1 August 12.30-1.30 pm: Dr. Martin Mäntele, director of the HfG-Archive: The Story of the Ulm School of Design 1953-1968.Tuesday 12 August: 12.30-1.30 pm Malte Wagenfeld, RMIT, Industrial Designer: The social focus, thinking and impact of the Ulm School and German design in the 60 -to early 80s. Free admission. Lift access. Mon-Fri 11am to 5pm, Sat 12.00 to 5pm, closed Sun and public holidays. Like RMIT Gallery on Facebook. Follow @RMITGallery on Twitter. A: 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000 T: +613 9925 1717 E: rmit.gallery@rmit.edu.au W: www.rmit.edu.au/rmitgallery