The Visual Language of Herbert Matter

Exploring the fascinating life story of an influential midcentury modern design master, The Visual Language of Herbert Matter introduces and celebrates a man known as a quintessential designer’s designer.

Credited with expanding the use of photography as a design tool and bringing the language of fine art into the realm of design, Herbert Matter also photographed the artwork of such contemporaries as Charles and Ray Eames, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Alexander Calder. Those who talk about Matter and his work in the film include designers Massimo Vignelli, John Hill, Stephen Heller, Jessica Helfand, and Lorraine Wild, along with famed photographer Robert Frank, a longtime friend. (78 mins., video)

Here's an interesting local connection: Columbus motion design studio left channel created the title sequence for the film. See it here on the left channel website.

Cosponsored by Ohio State's Department of Design and Knowlton School of Architecture.