Erik Spiekermann

Erik Spiekermann

Just like the artist that I have discussed in the previous blog, Erik Spiekermann did not have formal training to become a graphic artist but majored in English and history of art. He later become however one of the most influential and important typographers of all time. His typographical designs include FF Meta Serif, FF Meta,FF Unit, LoType  and Berlner Grotesk amongst others. He even established one of the leading design firms in Germany - Meta Design in 1979. In addition he has also created various corporate identities for clients such as Bosch, Volkswagen and Audi. Furthermore he is also an art director for Stern. In 2001 he left Meta Design whilst a year later, his fonts for Nokia were released. In 2007 Microsoft elected him as a board of director. 

Book Cover for Stop
Stealing Sheep and find
Out how type works

Spiekermann was never in favor of the over rational German typography. As an alternative to Helvetica, he designed the Meta typefaces which have more curves and pseudo serifs in order to give each letter more life and character. Spiekermann also wrote several books including three editions of Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works. Spiekermann in an interview talked about he always designs fonts for a particular purpose, but it does not matter which function it serves or its purpose, it has to have a pleasing design. He also takes the identity of a company and try to make it reflect in the type that will be used. It also has to be very legible and aesthetically pleasing.

Erik Spiekermann has also designed directions that people could follow for the Berlin Transport Authority. In addition, he has also designed type for Germany's national rail system  ‘Deutshe Bahn’. In his work for Audi he designs a sans serif font were the top of the letter ‘A’ and the letter ‘d’ are shifted giving these letters an identity. His designs are very clear and orderly, in fact he even says in an interview that he cannot do anything without the use of a grid. 

Erik Spiekermann for 'Deutshe Bahn'

Erik Spiekermann for Audi

Erik Spiekermann Work at the airport

Spiekermann also has a book called ‘Hello, I am Erik’ edited, written, as well as designed by Johannes Erler in collaboration with Erik Spiekermann. In the book he has shown the progress of his work and is a visual biography. In the book he discusses his achievements as well as he shares his ideas about graphic design.Through this book one can get a good insight on Spiekermann and how we works and develops an idea.

Book Cover

Page Spread from book

Page from book

Erik Spiekermann Exhbition Poster

Erik Spiekermann created a very interesting poster in order to promote his exhibition. In this poster very limited colours are used – red, grey and white. The white typography very much contrasts with the red flat background. In addition the artist made use of diagonals in order to form the word Spiekermann. It is as if the artist is playing a word search and he finally managed to find the wanted word. The fonts are not made equal whilst the artist made use of both serif and sans serif fonts. This poster is also very clean orderly and fully legible which also reflects the work that was expected to be found in this exhibition.

Spiekermann`s work is very simple and ordered and therefore I personally find it not as exiting. It is however nice to look at and very functional which is something that other artists disregarded in favor of even more expression and excitement. 

Erik Spiekermann Nokia Fonts

References:

Interview with designer and typographer, Erik Spiekermann | Webdesigner Depot. 2015. Interview with designer and typographer, Erik Spiekermann | Webdesigner Depot. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/07/interview-with-designer-and-typographer-erik-spiekermann/. [Accessed 28 January 2015].

Philip B. Meggs, 2011. Meggs' History of Graphic Design. 5 Edition. Wiley

Spiekermann Exhibition Opens In Bauhaus-Archiv, Berlin | The FontFeed . 2015. Spiekermann Exhibition Opens In Bauhaus-Archiv, Berlin | The FontFeed . [ONLINE] Available at:http://fontfeed.com/archives/spiekermann-exhibition-opens-in-bauhaus-archiv-berlin/. [Accessed 28 January 2015]