Tom eckersley i found an artist called tom eckersley. Eckersleys posters, like greetings shown below, demonstrate a shift in design from commercial art to design with meaning. The image is characteristically playful and humorous what at first appears to be an exotic bird is actually a womans elaborate hat. Tom eckersley the father of all poster illustrators.
He spent much of his childhood drawing, and at 16 he enrolled at salford school of art. In 1947, art and industry magazine described his approach to design as scrapping the nonessential, by the perfect mating of chosen word with chosen picture, he. The recent exhibition of tom eckersleys posters was the most comprehensive retrospective of his contribution to date. In a long and distinguished career spanning over 60 years, producing an enormous output of graphic work, tom eckersley was always the exemplary professional designer who maintained his authority.
Richard eckersley, an awardwinning graphic designer who introduced unconventional typography to staidlooking universitypress books, died on sunday at his. The recent exhibition of tom eckersley s posters was the most comprehensive retrospective of his contribution to date. He also did some work as a book illustrator for example. See more ideas about graphic design illustration, vintage posters and graphic design. Tom eckersley was an english poster artist known for his use of bold, bright colors and simple block shapes.
Beautiful graphic poster design by english poster designer and artist tom eckersley greetings 1983 poster british graphic designer tom eckersleys legacy is being celebrated in an exhibition titled tom eckersley. Online exhibit from eckersleys archival collection. Animals 04 on behance animal doodles, colorful art. Eckersleys book designs, the design historian roy r.
His artistic training began in 1930 when he enrolled at salford art school, where his abilities were soon recognised and he was awarded the heywood medal for best student. This poster, created for pakistan international airlines, depicts a dapper looking gentleman in swiss garb. He showed an interest in art as a child, and spent much of his time drawing, and later studied art at salford school of art from 19301934. In his book, poster design, eckersley wrote the good poster, that is one which. Niet afleiden health, safety poster, safety posters. Here he established the first undergraduate courses in graphic design. The edition has been printed on huntsman silk 5gm2. English artist and designer, tom eckersley 19141997, created numerous posters from the 1940s to the 1980s. American graphic design book design, paul rand logos. Together with a book published and printed by his colleagues at the london college of printing lcp, it constituted a warm and sincere appreciation of his work by his friends.
Eckersley was greatly inspired by the work of commercial artists such as a. In 1934 eckersley moved to london with the express purpose of becoming a freelance poster designer. Daniel benneworthgray on graphic design illustration. His birth preceded that of the concept of graphic design as it is understood today, which, as tom observes, had its roots in the twenties and thirties. Greta garbo, buster keaton, groucho marx, marlene dietrich. As well as posters eckersley produced for one off shows of his own work and for. It was designed and printed in 1983 to advertise an exhibition of his graphic work in newcastle. His works employ minimal text, instead transmitting their message by pareddown graphic elements and bold blocks of colour. Concept an exhibition featuring 40 posters by tom eckersley. Tom eckersley 19141997 was an english poster artist known for his use of bold, bright colors and simple block shapes. The retro feel and sharp colors in eckersleys work give insight into the happenings and. Tom eckersley graphic work 193483 eckersley, tom obe. Eckersley was one of the most iconic poster designers and graphic communicators of the twentieth century, who combined practice with.
His archive is under the care of his alma mater, the. In 1954 eckersley joined the london college of printing now named london college of communication in order to teach undergraduates. Tom eckersley 19141995 was one of the foremost graphic designers of the twentieth century working in the uk. An exhibition of tom eckersleys poster work is to be staged the london college of communication in january, marking the centenary of the british designers birth tom eckersley modern graphic design graphic design illustration book illustration graphic art illustration styles art exhibition posters bird poster wwf poster play poster. As with any good graphic design book, theres plenty to enjoy here visually. Poster type poster modern and retro graphic design business cards sometime graphic designers make the pages too complicated drawing your eye everywhere. The famous work of tom eckersley, one of the most influential graphic designers of the last century, is being celebrated with a new public exhibition at the london college of communication. See more ideas about graphic design, graphic design inspiration and typography design. Midcentury modern graphic design by theo inglis waterstones.
To celebrate a century since his birth, the exhibition displays iconic poster designs from the 1940s to the 1980s. Tom eckersley 30 september 1914, lancashire 4 august 1997 was an english poster artist and teacher of design other websites. The graphic approach explores and celebrates the reductive aesthetic of his work. It was designed and printed in 1990 for the world wildlife fund to advertise a musical in london called ocean world. Turning a public information poster into a work of art is no mean feat, but with his bold colours, clean lines and clever layouts, tom eckersley confirmed himself as a godfather of modern graphic. Tom eckersley retained copies of many of his posters and examples of his original artwork. In depth monograph on tom eckersley rescheduled for september 2021 postponed for obvious reasons we were privileged to have been introduced to tom by abram games, and here is a short interview that paul conducted at abrams home in north london, in the 1990s, published by affiche in 19945. Whilst his designs are not specifically american, their. Here he was awarded the heywood medal for his dedicated approach to his work. Typography and print items are created with multiple use in mind postcard press sheet is overprinted to. Tom eckersley, unicef united nations childrens fund.
His talent for whittling down subject matter with deceiving ease continues to inspire designers around the world. Eckersley used these when teaching, as well as a personal reference. Pages are packed with countless examples of his work, including everything from snowboard graphics to logo designs. Tom eckersley was the most original poster artist this country has produced and i havent forgotten the beggarstaff brothers. Richard eckersley, who has died aged 65, was an awardwinning book designer whose work on scholarly books set an industry standard. Happy 100th birthday to modernist master, tom eckersley. A celebration of tom eckersleys life and career with an exhibition in january 2014 at london college of communication. Turning a public information poster into a work of art is no mean feat, but with his bold colours, clean lines and clever layouts, tom eckersley confirmed himself as a. During wwii he was a cartographer for the royal air force and created designs for the general post office. During wwii he was a cartographer for the royal air force and created design. Tom eckersley was born in lowton, lancashire in 1914.
A pioneer in poster design for more than six decades, eckersleys distinct style pairs minimal, flat forms with bold colors and contours. To celebrate his 100th birthday, i have been invited to create and exhibit a contemporary limited edition print to celebrate his graphi. Eckersley illustrated only one childrens book, cat o nine lives, which was written by his wife, daisy eckersley. Tom eckersley was born on 30 september 1914 in lancashire. Pretty much everything is a treasure trove of work and wisdom that any design studio could benefit from owning. Tom eckersley was an influential figure in modern graphic design. Tom eckersleys greatest posters in pictures art and design the. In the meantime, toms poster design features in pauls book to commemorate. Together with a book published and printed by his colleagues at the london college of printing lcp, it constituted a warm and sincere appreciation of his work by his. Visual database of eckerlsey work commissioned by transport for london. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Tom eckersley obe rdi agi was born in lowton, lancashire on 30 september 1914. The show raised awareness about mans misuse of the sea through coral mining, oil spillages, whaling and industrial and nuclear waste. Tom eckersley passed away in 1997 leaving behind a tremendously influential body of work leading many industry insiders to call him the originator of modern graphic design.
The posters were kept at his home and as such formed a working archive. Five hundred copies of this book have been designed and printed by the london college of printing at the elephant and castle. Eckersley also continued to complete commissioned work, adding the united nations childrens fund, the world wide fund for nature, the national business calendar design awards and cooks to his list of clients. Tom eckersley tom eckersley was born in lawton, lancashire in 1914. In addition to poster making and book illustration he also produced magazine. Tom eckersley graphic design books, modern graphic. Sep 29, 2017 the graphic design work of tom eckersley 19141997. What i actually saw when i got to the page was this. Tom eckersley the father of all poster illustrators fishink. British designer tom eckersley was one of the most important and prolific poster designers in the uk in the last century.
Set of tom eckersley obe, film star prints uk 1983 tom eckersley, obe born 1914 died 1996 eckersley was one of the foremost poster designers and graphic communicators of the last century. Eckersleys work communicates strong messages by employing bold overlaid colors, simplified forms, and informative text. Apr 15, 2020 tom eckersley is known for creating the first undergraduate design course in 1954 and moving design away from commercial art toward more conceptual references. Return your library book, tom eckersley poster using negative space library posters. Tom eckersley posters and other graphic work yale centre for british art december 10 1980 january 11 1981 with thanks to the estate of tom. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery. His father, tom eckersley, a celebrated poster designer during world war ii. Greetings 1983 poster british graphic designer tom eckersleys legacy is being celebrated in an exhibition titled tom eckersley. However, in this illustration they have created the design with simple shapes making your eye draw to the focus point. Greetings 1983 link poster from tom eckersley, a giant in the british graphic design history. To mark the centenary of his birth, here are some of his best designs. Mullens archive of fortune is a big part of the visual telling of stories. He also did some work as a book illustrator, for example illustrating his wifes book cat onine lives in 1946. To mark the centenary of his birth, here are some of his best designs often graphic design is about reduction getting to the essence.
Tom eckersly was the first modern graphic designer. There are also magazine covers for the queen, graphics 31 and the director. Clean layouts, clever lines and bold colors, tom eckersley is the confirmed godfather of modern graphic design. In 1954 eckersley joined the london college of printing lcp, now named london college of communication in order to teach undergraduates.
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