Timeline

40s

1941:

Born in a valley near Lake Constance, the Salem Valley, in Germany near the Swiss border.

50s

1954:

Moved with his family to Lisbon.

1958:

Began a 2 year course at
the Merz academy and
learned about hand setting type and printmaking.

60s

1960:

Began a typesetting
apprenticeship at
Kuwe printing.

1961:

Began Round
Composition Project.

1964:

Enrolled at the Basel School of
Design in Switzerland. Met Armin
Hoffman and Emil Ruder.

1968:

Invited by Armin Hoffman
to teach at the Basel School
of Design.

70s

1974:

Instructor at the Yale University Summer Graphic Design Program in Brissago

1975:

Became a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale

80s

1981:

Began experimenting with
photomechanical processes

1983:

Began work with
film layering

90s

1992:

Legibility studies pushing text's capabilities for readability

2000

2000:

Publishes the book
"My Way to Typography".

2004:

Retires from teaching.

2010

2013:

Recieved the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Medal.

2014:

Received the Swiss Grand Prix of Design award.

2020

2021:

Passed away at 80.