Visual communication design
Caught between two stools
Having graduated in architecture at the University of Technology Wien [Vienna], I subsequently engaged in
post-graduate studies at The Bartlett School of Architecture and Planning / University College London. Corporate design and
signage design attracted my attention. Back home a major bank and Vienna airport (VIE), among others, were the first clients of my
company. As chairman of Committee 133 “Public information symbols” of “Austrian Standards”, I was responsible for the elaboration
of several theme specific national and international standards.In 1993 I founded the IIID International Institute for Information Design. Several r&d projects within the
frame of the 6th and 7th European Union Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development were carried out. However,
due to the required but denied support from the Austrian Ministry of Science and Research, the founding of an interdisciplinary
institute, affiliated to the United Nations University (UNU), did not materialize. No chance either to establish “Visual
Communication Design” at a local university. Until now the Department of Typography and Graphic Communication of The University of
Reading (UK) seems to be the only theme specific institution on tertiary university level in Europe. Challenges nowadays range
from legible medical package inserts to a much required unified system for the European Union highway signs.
Keywords: Graphic communication, graphic design, communication graphics, visual communication, typographic teaching, core competencies, ISOTYPE, Symbol Signs, Highway Gothic, TERN
Published online: 22 October 2020
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.25.3.09sim
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.25.3.09sim
References
References
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idX. information design exchange
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(1970) International signs to facilitate passengers using airports. Doc 8881-C/992, 87 p.
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Simlinger, P.
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Simlinger, P., Egger, S., Galinski, C.
(2008) Proposal on unified pictograms, keywords, bilingual verbal messages and typefaces for VMS in the TERN. IN-SAFETY Deliverable 2.3, Workpackage WP2: “Implementation scenarios and concepts towards self-explaining roads” comprising Activities No. A2.2 “Pictograms substituting verbal messages on VMS”, A2.3 “Key meanings and bilingual messages in VMS, A2.4 “Content structure of pictorial and verbal messages on VMS and typeface”.