Modernist Icons at MoDA

At MoDA we have two Faber and Faber books related to Ben Nicholson (1894-1982).; Circle, which he co-edited, and Art Now, which features his work on the cover.

Herbert Read, Art Now, Faber & Faber, 1960, Museum  of Domestic Design &  Architecture, JMR 596.

Circle, Co-edited by Ben Nicholson, Faber & Faber, 1971, Museum of Domestic Design & Architecture, JMR199.

Faber are well known for their strong branding. Both of these covers are from re-printed books from the 1960s and 1970s when Faber and Faber were using a black strip down the sides of their covers to denote cheaper paper back editions.

A simple design done well can go a long way. The classic Albertus font, made by in-house designer, Berthold Wolpe, makes Faber books instantly recognisable and has been in use since 1932, and continues to be used today. What other branding icons of the twentieth century can you think of?

To see more of Nicholson's work visit the Mondrian Nicholson in Parallel exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery, London until the 20th May.