Designing Programmes: A compilation of four theoretical publications, 1968 [Karl Gerstner w/ Galerie Der Spiegel Ephemera]

Designing Programmes: A compilation of four theoretical publications by Karl Gerstner. Arthur Niggli Ltd., Teufen AR (Switzerland). Hardcover with dust jacket, 7.25 x 10, pp. 112, 1968 enlarged new edition. First published in 1964. English version by D.Q. Stephenson. Designed by Karl Gerstner. With a multiple page, stapled brochure slipped-in featuring Gerstner’s “variable picture comprising 31 bars”, offered at Galerie Der Spiegel, Cologne.

Karl Gerstner’s most important work. With four essays and an introduction by Gerstner (“Instead of solutions for problems,” “programmes for solutions”) and an introduction to the introduction titled “Pro-Programmatic” by Paul Gredinger of GGK (Gerstner, Kutter, Gredinger), considered Europe’s most successful advertising studio.

A thought-provoking and heavily illustrated look at Gerstner’s design methodologies including: “Programme as typeface: The old Berthold sans-serif on a new basis,” “Programme as typography: Integral typography,” “Programme as picture: Making pictures today?” and “Programme as method: Structure and movement.”

A good hardcover with a previous owner’s name inked on the front free endpaper. In the original, moderately soiled dust jacket with wear to the corners and top of the spine. There is a small bump on the lower edge which extends to the cloth cover. The interior pages are lightly toned and foxed along the edges; some edges are lightly skinned with waviness from moisture to the top edge ... approx. one inch on most pages. Despite any flaws, a desirable book; condition noted.