The Swiss Grid
February 27, 2020–February 14, 2021
The Swiss Grid explores the development and impact of the International Typographic Style, considered one of the most important movements in graphic design history, through a selection of posters and ephemera. Influenced by the Concrete art of the Bauhaus and Jan Tschichold’s The New Typography, the practitioners of this style streamlined compositions through an adherence to geometric grid structures. The results were pared down, harmonious, instantly comprehensible designs—masterpieces of communication—that have stood the test of time.
To complete the story of Swiss poster history, companion exhibitions in adjoining galleries will celebrate over 100 years of Swiss design, from illustrational posters of the prewar period up through the “Swiss punk” movement of the 1970s and beyond.
- Curator
- Angelina Lippert
- Exhibition Design
- The Graphics Office
- Located
- Programs Gallery & Lower Level Hallways
- Visitor Information
- Allot approximately 1 hour
- Parental Guidance
- This exhibition is rated G
- Audio Guide
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- Video Tour
- View tour
- Share this Exhibition
Thank You
This collection comes to Poster House through a generous loan from Tom Strong. All ephemera is courtesy of Display, Graphic Design Collection.
Selected Artworks

Schützenfest, 1963
Fridolin Müller

Olivetti, 1961
Ernst Hiestand

Typographie, 1960
Robert Büchler

Stadt Theater Basel, 1965
Armin Hofmann

Musica Viva, 1958
Josef Müller-Brockmann

Weniger Lärm, 1960
Josef Müller-Brockmann

Citroën, 1958
Karl Gerstner & Markus Kutter

Auch Du Bist Liberal, 1959
Karl Gerstner
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