International
Typographic
Style

Also known as the Swiss Style, this graphic design movement emerged in Russia, the Netherlands, and Germany in the 1920s and was further developed by designers in Switzerland during the 1950s.

Principles

Cleanliness. Readability. Objectivity. The style emphasizes the use of a mathematical grid to structure information.

Typography

The use of sans-serif typefaces like Akzidenz-Grotesk and Helvetica is a hallmark. Text is often flush-left, ragged-right.

Swiss International Style concert poster featuring bold geometric composition with red and black shapes on white background, demonstrating strict grid system and Helvetica typography by Josef Müller-Brockmann
Josef Müller-Brockmann, 1955
High contrast black and white Swiss poster with bold asymmetric geometric shapes and dramatic shadows, exemplifying Basel School of Design modernist aesthetics by Armin Hofmann
Armin Hofmann, 1959
Minimalist typographic composition featuring elegant Helvetica letterforms with sophisticated spacing and mathematical precision in grey and black on white, demonstrating Basel typography principles by Emil Ruder
Emil Ruder, 1960