Polish Design Icons Through the Eyes of Young Illustrators
One hundred years of iconic Polish design in pictures... ‘The ABCs of Polish Design’, the book published by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and WYtwórnia Publishing House, features the diversity of a century of Polish product and graphic design – alongside 25 young Polish illustrators’ interpretations of them. Culture.pl presents 10 selected illustrations for your viewing pleasure!
The ABCs of Polish Design book and exhibitions organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute presented the best of Polish product design, from furniture to ceramics, glassware and more – including typography, toys, sporting equipment and even sweets! The book also presents interpretations of these design icons by 25 contemporary Polish illustrators and graphic designers, who were asked to share their visual interpretations of the pieces on display. Moreover, the exhibition also shared the stories behind each of the designs: the designers, their inspirations and their creative processes.
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Illustration by Maciek Blaźniak; logo of LOT Polish Airlines, design by Tadeusz Gronowski, 1929; photo: Adam Mickiewicz Institute & LOT Polish Airlines
The crane from the logo designed by Tadeusz Gronowski has become an irreplaceable symbol of the biggest Polish airlines, LOT. Attempts by LOT to change its logo provoked a fierce backlash – the general public came out in defence of the design created in 1929, which only proves its timelessness.
Maciek Blaźniak is a graphic designer and illustrator fascinated with contemporary picture books and new technologies. He makes up a half of the Ładne Halo graphic design studio, which specialises in book, press and advertisement illustration.
Tea set for Gdynia – America Shipping Lines
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Illustration by Katarzyna Bogucka; tea set for Gdynia – America Shipping Lines SA – GAL, design by Julia Keilowa, manufactured in 1935 by J. Fraget Factory in Warsaw; photo: Adam Mickiewicz Institute & Michał Korta
In the 1930s, two world-class Polish transatlantic ships were produced: the MS Batory and MS Piłsudski. Their elegant interiors, tailored in every detail, were designed by top Polish designers of the time. This tea set, designed by Julia Keilowa in the fashionable art deco style of the 1930s, was an element of the tableware used on the transatlantic MS Piłsudski.
Katarzyna Bogucka, a graduate of the faculty of painting, turned towards illustration and worked out her own, energetic style of drawing. Her works have a touch of retro style and allude to naïve art and comic books. She draws simple and expressive human and animal characters that inspire the imagination.
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Illustration by Emilia Dziubak; RM58 armchair, design by: Roman Modzelewski, 1958; photo: Adam Mickiewicz Institute & National Museum in Warsaw
The RM58 armchair, designed by Roman Modzelewski, is one of the earliest Polish products made of plastic. Le Corbusier, the world-famous architect, wanted to buy the prototype and launch mass production of the armchair in France, but authorities of the communist regime prevented it from happening. Sixty years later, this legendary design was rediscovered by the Vzór design studio and can be found in its catalogue today.
Emilia Dziubak debuted in 2011 with a cookbook for children and has illustrated more than 40 books since.
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Illustration by Małgorzata Gurowska; Alfa camera, design by Krzysztof Meisner & Olgierd Rutkowski, Artistic Research Unit of Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts, 1958; photo: Adam Mickiewicz Institute & National Museum in Warsaw
The Alfa camera was distinguished by its modern design, bright colours, simplicity and functionality. Its designers wanted to appeal to young customers, and they achieved their goal. The camera remains popular today, especially among collectors.
Małgorzata Gurowska is an artist, illustrator and graphic designer. The strength of her works lies in their precision and boldness.
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Illustration by Monika Hanulak; Osa M50 (Wasp M50) scooter, design by Krzysztof Brun, Jerzy Jankowski & Tadeusz Mathia, produced by Warsaw Motorcycle Factory, 1959; photo: Adam Mickiewicz Institute & Michał Korta
During the communist regime in Poland, scooters, such as Vespas, were associated with the freedom and luxury of the West. The generation born after World War II wanted to enjoy life and leave the past behind. Several models of scooters designed at the time and were given the names of insects. Osa (Wasp) was the first one to be mass-produced.
Monika Hanulak illustrates books and organises exhibitions. Her illustrations invite viewers into an enchanted world inhabited by green crickets, red monkeys and pink rhinos.
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Illustration by Tymek Jezierski; Ina coffee set, design by Lubomir Tomaszewski, 1962, created by the Institute of Industrial Design, manufactured by Table Porcelain Factory in Ćmielów; photo: Adam Mickiewicz Institute & Michał Korta
Lubomir Tomaszewski wanted to create an ideal coffee set, which was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. He analysed hundreds of models and performed many tests searching for the most convenient and ergonomic form. Inspired by shapes found in nature, he proposed six different ‘ideal’ coffee sets. Two, christened with the names of his daughters (Dorota and Ina), went into production.
Tymek Jezierski is a draughtsman, illustrator and poster designer with artistic inclinations. He has a very confident and captivating approach to graphic design. Tymek Jezierski works across a number of platforms. His designs are both easy to comprehend and imaginative.
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Illustration by Agata Królak; Cepelia pavilion in Warsaw, design by Zygmunt Stępiński, 1966; photo: Adam Mickiewicz Institute & Fotopolska.eu
Cepelia was originally established to keep Polish folk art alive, but it did much more. It created its own unique style and shaped the aesthetic tastes of Poles, also becoming a well-known brand abroad. In Warsaw, Cepelia has its headquarters in a pavilion designed by Zygmunt Stępiński, located in the very centre of the city at the corner of Marszałkowska Street and Aleje Jerozlimskie.
Agata Królak is a graphic artist. Her works take you on a nostalgic journey to the world of childhood. Seasoned with a sense of humour, her illustrations create a dynamic microcosm.
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Illustration by Patryk Mogilnicki; logo of Pewex shops, design by Elżbieta Magner, 1972; photo: Adam Mickiewicz Institute
Under the communist regime, political, cultural and fashion news from the West reached Poland by various channels, despite government attempts to prevent it. Western goods could only be bought in Pewex and Baltona shops, and only for dollars or special PeKaO checks. Pewex shops sold Max Factor cosmetics, Levi’s jeans, Sony Walkmans and Barbie dolls. The Pewex logo, designed by Elżbieta Magner, based on the logo of PeKaO, became a synonym of things that were prohibited: Western and desirable.
Patryk Mogilnicki is a draughtsman and illustrator, who focuses mainly on press illustrations. He also designs posters, record covers, book covers and comic books.
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Illustration by Marianna Oklejak; Diana meat grinder, design by Marek Liskiewicz Triada Design, manufactured by Zelmer, 1999; photo: Adam Mickiewicz Institute & http://zelmer.com
In the 1990s, the meat grinder was one of the most frequently used devices in Polish kitchens. Marek Liskiewicz’s design was a breakthrough: his Diana meat grinder was modern, light, compact and, last but not least, electric. In designing this practical, easy-t-use and aesthetic object, Liskiewicz was inspired by bone structure.
Marianna Oklejak is a graphic designer, who is distinguished by her ability to present tradition in a new, contemporary and lively way. She draws and sews, and also designs books, posters and album covers.
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Illustration by Marianna Sztyma; 'Zen' oven, design by Code Design, manufactured by Amica, 2014; photo: AMI and manufacturer’s promotional materials
The oven created by Marek Biernacki was designed with the concept ‘less is more’ in mind. Its number of functions is limited to a minimum – the priority here is convenience and easy use. Customers can choose the kind of wood they want their oven handles to be made of. Zen is characterised by its austere simplicity.
Marianna Sztyma is the author of numerous press and book illustrations, including children’s books. She creates comics, designs book covers and paints.
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Cover of 'The ABCs of Polish Design', photo: promotional materials
The concept for The ABCs of Polish Design: 25 Illustrators Revisit 100 Iconic Designs book and exhibitions was created by Polish design expert Ewa Solarz. The design historian Agata Szydłowska and journalist Agnieszka Kowalska worked on the book alongside Solarz.
The book was published by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, under its flagship brand Culture.pl, as part of its programme promoting Polish design around the globe. The book was published in honour of the centenary of Poland's independence. The project was implemented within the framework of the Multiannual POLSKA 100 Programme for the years 2017-2021.
Source: promotional materials, compiled by MK, 19 Oct 2017; translated by MF
Tytuł (nagłówek do zdjęcia)
Discover 100 Years
of Polish Design
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