Elisabeth Parizot

Pre-digital: Robert Brownjohn (1925-1970)

In 1963, Robert Brownjohn said, "In the last 15 years, in typography the real advance
has been the use of type not as an adjunct to an illustration or photo, but in its use as the image itself". For Brownjohn, an advertising art director and graphic designer, this quote serves as an excellent introduction to his work. He is likely most famous for his work for the Rolling Stones and the James Bond films. Despite the fact that he worked in advertising, he was a true innovator and artist at heart. If I had to try and explain his style I would use two words: sex + typography. Coincidentally enough, there is a book written by Emily King called "Robert Brownjohn: Sex and Typography". 

Brownjohn is known in the design world as a man of creativity and original ideas. He took the juxtaposition of type and image to another level. In the opening credits for Goldfinger, he projected images onto a woman's naked body -- if that's not a unique way to roll credits then I don't know what is.

Vince Frost (contemporary)

It has been said that Vince Frost is one of Australia's most well-known graphic designers. In my humble opinion, he is a genius with typography. He is full of fresh ideas and has a unique way, not unlike Mr. Brownjohn, of creating a unique relationship between image and type. Most recently, he has been named one of Sydney's 100 most influential people by the Sydney Morning Herald.

In recent years, Frost has been part of the rebranding of Sydney's world famous opera house. His style is very contemporary and his work has certainly helped bring a modern feel to the Opera House. In the images shown above, he has used typography, colour choice, and image placement in a strategic way to convey and message, This is something that Robert Brownjohn was a master of. Though these two artists may have worked in different times, with different technologies, they both share similar techniques and their own distinctive styles.

References:

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/002441.html

http://designmuseum.org/design/robert-brownjohn

http://www.designboom.com/brownjohn.html

http://dailyimprint.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/designer-vince-frost.html
http://www.frostdesign.com.au/