The bilateral collaborative research project “Reception of the New Typography in the French-speaking graphic scenes: rejections, adoptions, renegotiations (1925–1979)” focuses on the reception of the principles of the New Typography within French-speaking graphic design scenes and maps out their rejections, adoptions, and renegotiations during the period from 1925 to 1979. The graphic principles outlined by Jan Tschichold in his early works (1925–1928), along with the intense debates they sparked, offer a unique perspective on the international context of the time. The dissemination and adoption of these principles did not occur in the same way or at the same time across the various French-speaking national contexts.
The project identifies two phases in the reception of the New Typography: the emergence of its principles through two seminal publications by Jan Tschichold, the migration of key figures, and the spread of its values (1925–1949); and the large-scale dissemination of an international style (1950–1979). It is structured around four thematic areas, each comprising several case studies.
Based on these findings, the project traces the evolution of graphic design across French-speaking regions of continental Europe, with a focus on international relations. The project sheds light on underexplored areas of design history, broadening the historiographical canon from a transnational perspective. It is developed by a joint team of French and Swiss members.
The thematic areas are explored using a shared methodology that triangulates network analysis, oral history, and the analysis of visual and textual materials in order to produce comparative readings of design developments and their political dimensions during this period.
This research project is supported by the ANR / French National Research Agency and the SNSF / Swiss National Science Foundation and led jointly by Prof. Dr Catherine de Smet (Paris 8 University Vincennes – Saint-Denis, UR AIAC) and Prof. Dr Davide Fornari (ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne, HES-SO), in partnership with Atelier national de recherche typographique (ANRT), Nancy and LUCA School of the Arts.