Early Modern Design Style

The term Early Modernism refers to a wide range of experimental design styles from 1910 – 1935. The styles included under the Early Modern umbrella are Bauhaus, Constructivism, Dada, De Stijl, Expressionism, Futurism, Heroic Realism, The New Typography, Plakatsil, Surrealism and Vorticism. The label ‘Aant Garde’ (meaning new or experimental) can also be used to describe this style of design. The early modern artists broke free from the over the top Victorian style that came before to create something completely new and experimental.

This piece by Piet Mondrian from 1930 is a typical example of the Dutch art movement De Stijl which translates to ‘The Style’. Its use of geometric 

shapes in primary colours with black outlines is distinctly De Stijl and early modern. I was really attracted to this piece 

because of its bold and spontaneous style. 

This piece by Alexander Rodchenko from1915 

uses pure geometric abstraction with precise curved shapes to create a dynamic and interesting look. I am really attracted to its mathematical and progressive look. 

1960's Psychedelia

Psychedelic art refers to the psychedelic design style from the 1960’s that was a counterpart to the psychedelic rock music of the time. This design style was mainly prominent in concert posters, album covers, comic books and underground newspapers.

The style consists of surreal subject matter, bright vibrant flat colours and swirling warped hand drawn lettering and patterns that reflect the swirling patterns of LSD hallucinations, which was a very common drug amongst that subculture. It can also incorporate collage.

The swirling curvy shapes were most likely derived from the design style Art Nouveau but were also adapted into distorted text that could be drawn to fit in any space. Psychedelic design style differs from Art Nouveau by its lack of black outlines but still has the solid flat colours although a lot brighter.

This piece is a concert poster designed by Wes Wilson in 1966. It is a typical example of Psychedelic design with its curved and warped hand drawn text that was designed to fit into the rectangular shape, its curvy patterns and swirls on the subjects clothing and the flat bright colours. Also note that there is no black outlines as found in the Art Nouveau design style.

 

This concert poster by Victor Moscoso in 1967 is another good example of the Psychedelic design style. It also incorporates hand drawn lettering but this time designed to fit into the shape of a pair of sunglasses in an edited photograph. It also uses vibrant solid colours and no black outlines.

 

 

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is a beautiful style of art, Architecture and design from 1890 to 1905. It is said to be the first international design style. It came directly after the Arts & Crafts movement and has similar characteristics like its natural flowing organic motifs and its rebellion against Victorian arts overly fancy style.

This poster by Alphonse Mucha from 1898 is a typical example of Art Nouveau with the flowing stylised hair and the use of black outlines and flat colours.

This poster titled Dance also by Alphonse Mucha from 1898 is another typical example of Art Nouveau with its organic curvy borders, stylised hair and fabric and again its use of black outlines and flat colours.