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| Graphis magazine | July/August 1996 |
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| Graphis magazine | July/August 1996 |
When the Presidio —a very old Army installation in San Francisco — was turned into a state park, Michael Schwab was called upon to design the poster making the announcement. His solution was insightful, simple and elegant, and it spawned many commissions for state park signage.
As one who has designed my share of logos, I've always been aware that a good logo needs to look good and be readable at any size, and Schwab is great at achieving such images.
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| behance.net |
For a speaking event in Nebraska, the design team of Bēhance worked with Michael Schwab, providing old exaggerated postcards that promoted the "Cornhusker State." Schwab's lettering, as shown here and in the earlier polo poster, is very much influenced by the work of David Lance Goines, another great poster designer.
I hope you enjoy the dramatic, graphic style of Michael Schwab as much as I do — he's always been a great inspiration to me. All of the images that are not otherwise credited come from Michael's own Website, which can be accessed by clicking on the image below.
A huge talent, as you note. It looks so easy, but that must be half the task: simplicity overriding complexity.
ReplyDeleteHello, Columnist,
DeleteOne of the often overlooked aspects in the work of a designer such as Schwab is that so-called negative space receives the same designing attention as the seemingly more visual positive space. Not all artists are quite as conscious of that.
Hello Mark:
ReplyDeleteWe are absolutely bowled over by the sheer force and power of Michael Schwab's work and can only marvel at the technical expertise combined with enormous creative talent. This work is surely of such a consistently high standard that we are not at all surprised to read that he enjoys numerous commissions.
We think that the poster for The Presidio is outstanding in its apparent simplicity, a simplicity which conceals highly intelligent and original thought processes.
Do you, we wonder, own any of his work?
Hello, Jane and Lance:
DeleteI wish I had the wall space to hang a large selection of Michael Schwab's handsome posters. But as an artist myself, and with artists in the family and friends who are artists, and as a collector of antique advertising (and I could go on), there simply isn't any more room on my walls! In fact, I am at a point where I have some framed pieces stacked against walls, which might not be the best feng shui!
Dear Mark,
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of this artist this before so thank you for introducing him to me. Yes, I do like his dramatic style. It encourages me to seek out more information.
With regard to your art collection I think that you have reached that happy and most sublime stage wherein you can chose what pieces to hang at a given time, and what not to hang. AGA was only explaining this to me the other day when I looked at the stack of 'unhung' paintings stacked under our harpsichord! At first I scoffed but upon reflection I think that he is right so blow the feng shui and keep on collecting and amassing!
Kirk
Dear Kirk,
DeleteThanks for the permission to stack away. While the books of my bookcases share space with art and memorabilia, I tend not to crowd walls. The exception is in my studio/study, where I look forward to constructing ledge-like shelves for rows of paintings and prints.
As for amassing more stuff, I'm afraid that's a genetic trait that can't possibly be helped! What I have been doing — which I highly recommend — is to cull collections, constantly editing. The collections will get better, and the Universe will always seek a vacuum to fill!
But what a lovely genetic trait to have, Mark - I know because I have it myself!
DeleteCulling is something that neither of us have worked up to as yet but I have a feeling that the time will come for some refinement.
Having to move several times should take care of that.
DeleteI love the work he did for the GGNRA. And I love the fearless use of black. It's what makes woodblock prints so successful and it works well for his style.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lynne,
DeleteYes, I think the work Schwab has done for the National Park Service is timeless. Some of those designs can be found at the link I provided.
WONDERFUL stuff, Mark. I love this sort of spare design with healthy doses of black line. I was not familiar with Schwab's work, but now I am. Thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteLove the David Sedaris logo. Perfect.
Hi, Yvette,
DeleteYou would be one to understand that I save images that attract me as inspiration and for future reference in connection with my own work. The David Sedaris image is one I set aside without realizing that it was by Michael Schwab.
Incideantally, I'm a huge fan of David Sedaris, and have enjoyed hearing him in person!
Hello Mark, I instantly recognized Michael Schwab's style because last year a friend gave me the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy calendar, will all illustrations by Schwab, which I keep next to my desk. (This month is Mount Tamalpais).
ReplyDeleteHe has that ability often used in line drawing to suggest complex themes with great economy, but as you mention he does it more with shapes and blocks of color. His park posters all have an old-fashioned, nostalgic, time-muted, Art Deco-y look.
--Road to Parnassus
Hello, Parnassus,
DeleteWhat a good friend to gift you with a Schwab-designed calendar! Your comment makes me think of other artists whose work relies upon economy, and great caricaturists (like Hirschfield) come to mind. And of course the gift is not so much to execute with economy, but to perceive that economy in the first place!
Dear Mark - thanks for the introduction to the bold but simple illustrations of Michael Schwab. In his case less is definitely more, his work has a powerful simplicity to it.
ReplyDeleteI could imagine a great profile of you in your Duke of Urbino outfit along similar lines to that of the cowboy.
Dear Rosemary - I like your suggestion — I'll do it for the next anniversary posting!
DeleteI've never heard of Michael Schwab. Am I the only one? Thanks for the introduction, Mark. He is a true master of "a picture is worth a thousand words." I find his images handsome, to the point and without gimmicks.
ReplyDeleteLoi
Hi, Loi - I'm guessing that you might be more familiar with Michael Schwab if you lived on the West Coast. I have a sense that most of his clients are based there, and he certainly doesn't need East-based reps to keep him very busy. I'm glad you like his work!
DeleteWhen I moved to S.F. in 1989 Michael's work was something I discovered immediately. He's a part of the city and a part that makes it great.
ReplyDeleteHi, Scott - One gets that sense about his connection to San Francisco, just looking at his portfolio. He's been on the national scene since at least the early 80s - I have him in one of my CA annuals from 1984.
DeleteThank you for the introduction to this wonderful illustrator...fabulous posters! Thrilled to be your newest follower ~
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, designchic! Glad you checked out those posters . . .
Delete