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Willi Kunz papers

 Collection — Drawer: 2.2
Identifier: CSC-0101

Scope and Contents

This collection is still in process. Please contact Cary Graphic Design Archives for more information.

Dates

  • Creation: 1984-2003

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Willi Kunz (1943 - ) was born in Switzerland and immigrated to the United States in 1970. He found employment at Ansapch, Grossman & Portugal, a corporate identity consulting firm in New York City. His success in designing a branding program for the Merit gasoline station franchise company helped establish his credentials and he eventually set up an independent design studio that continues to be active. Though he was steeped early on in the Swiss style of typography, Kunz broke free of its more formal expectations and opened himself to what he described as "creative experimentation."

His books are much sought after by discriminating graphic designers. Typography: Macro + Microaesthetics (1998, 2d ed , 2004) has won many design awards and articulates Kunz's spare but surprisingly dynamic design aesthetic. In particular, it features an amazing series of posters designed for a long-running lecture program sponsored by Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture. A second book, Typography: Formation + Transformation (2004), discusses the role that typography plays in transforming utilitarian text into "an aesthetic form that conveys both the intellectual meaning and emotional feeling of the message."

Extent

3 Linear Feet (1 map case drawer)

Language

English

Overview

The collection consists of forty-one posters and several other materials related to Swiss graphic designer Willi Kunz.

Arrangement

The posters are arranged in an oversized folder. There is no apparent arrangement.

Physical Location

Graphic Design Archives, Cary Collection Annex

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated by Willi Kunz in 2010. Accession number(s): 2010:001

Processing Information

Collection processed by Lisa Witt, October 2015.

Subject

Title
Willi Kunz papers
Subtitle
Cary Graphic Design Archives
Author
Lisa Witt
Date
14 October 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Cary Graphic Arts Collection Repository

Contact:
Rochester NY 14623 US
(585) 475-2408