Kwadraat-Bladen: a series of graphic experiments, 1955-1974

Abstract

Kwadraat-Bladen was the brainchild of graphic designer Pieter Brattinga (1931-2004). He set out to prove that his family's printing firm was the best in the Netherlands by publishing a journal that would surprise its readers with its radical content, unusual format, and state-of-the-art production techniques. Brattinga was a visionary: he was amongst the first to encourage designers to enter the print works and to collaborate with printers. He invited many of the best Dutch artists and designers to produce an edition of Kwadraat-Bladen that pushed design and print to the outer limits.