Poynor on Sandberg

In this richly illustrated talk, Rick Poynor will discuss Willem Sandberg’s work in the wider context of graphic design history.

Willem Sandberg (1897-1984) is a towering figure in Dutch graphic design history. After an early career as a designer and typographer, Sandberg joined the Stedelijk Museum as curator and assistant director, where he initiated preparations to protect and hide works of art in the run-up to the Second World War and the German occupation of the Netherlands. As a member of the Dutch Resistance, he forged identity cards and was forced to go underground; he made the first of his hand-made experimenta typographica booklets while in hiding from the Nazis. From 1945-63 he was full time director of the Stedelijk, making long-lasting changes to the museum’s programme and accessibility while continuing to be a prolific designer – he devised exhibition posters for the Stedelijk in his spare time.