Designed by saul basss daughter jennifer and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham, who knew saul bass, this book contains more than 1,400 illustrations, many from the bass archive and never published before, providing an indepth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th century. When he worked for film studios he offered them a package. Nov 09, 2011 designed by jennifer bass, saul basss daughter and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham who knew saul bass personally, this book is full of images from the bass archive, providing an in depth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th century. Anatomy of film design explores the designers revolutionary career and his lasting impact on the entertainment and advertising industries. Saul bass was born in new york city in 1920 and is a widely acclaimed graphic designer with a career spanning over 40 years. Screenwriter nicholas pileggi said of saul and elaine bass, you write a book of 300 to 400 pages and then you boil it down to a script of maybe 100 to 150 pages. May 8, 1920 april 25, 1996 was an american graphic designer and oscarwinning filmmaker, best known for his design of motionpicture title sequences, film posters, and corporate logos during his 40year career, bass worked for some of hollywoods most prominent filmmakers, including alfred hitchcock, otto preminger, billy wilder, stanley kubrick and martin. A life in film and design by jennifer bass goodreads. At the end of rosss intro, he questions why the book only includes twouncrediteddrawings. Predictably set in tiny type yet full of detail about saul bass, design and the design community he worked in. Saul bass 19201996 created some of the most compelling images of american postwar visual culture. Description human rights week by saul bass unesco, 1965. Anatomy of film design explores the designers revolutionary career and his lasting impact on the entertainment. Saul bass may 8, 1920april 25, 1996 is one of the most iconic and.
The truly fascinating part of this book for those of us who came to saul bass through his film credits is to discover his origins and his amazing body of work as a designer. The interiors of the film were shot at pinewood studios in england and the exterior locations were shot in kenya, though the film is set in the arizona. Designed by jennifer bass, saul bass s daughter and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham who knew saul bass personally, this book is full of images from the bass archive, providing an in depth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th century. The collaboration between filmart gallery and the saul bass archive came about a few years back when mccarthy met with bass daughter jennifer bass, who is behind the book saul bass. The staggeringly beautiful title sequence for casino was the last one made by saul and elaine. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for the big country, designed by saul bass, from her authoritative book saul bass. Oct 01, 2011 designed by saul bass s daughter jennifer and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham, who knew saul bass, this book contains more than 1,400 illustrations, many from the bass archive and never published before, providing an indepth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th century. Bass is known mostly for his filmmaking, poster design and corporate logos.
A life in film and design saul created a title sequence, a symbol and a comprehensive advertising campaign for this drama about a cultured easterner gregory peck trying to make peace between two western families. What we do know is that although bass was responsible for the overall look of each project, there were many craftspeople behind the scenes at his studio who executed the lettering itself. Bass used his innovative ideas and unique perspective of the world to influence his art, engaging his audiences. It should be noted that much of saul s title design work after 1960 was made in collaboration with his wife elaine bass.
Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for casino, from her authoritative book saul bass. A life in film and design the staggeringly beautiful title sequence for casino was the last one made by saul and elaine. The first book to examine the life and work of this fascinating figure, saul bass. Screenwriter nicholas pileggi said of saul and elaine bass, you write a book of 300 to 400 pages and then you boil it down to a script of maybe 100 to 150. Pdf saul bass a life in film and design download full pdf. His unmistakable handiwork graces this poignant poster. Posted in april 2019 chuck green is the principal of logic arts, a design and marketing firm, a contributor to numerous magazines and websites, and the author of books published by random house. He enjoyed four decades of successful career in his lifetime, winning academy award for his exquisite graphic designing. Over his career saul bass would revolutionize the art of movie title design, reinvent the ways in which advertising campaigns were conceived. The flames burn more and more strongly, and by the final credit consume the screen. His film titling work and poster design for hollywoods greatest studios and directors, however, earned bass a unique place in american. In 1954, preminger again defied production code guidelines when adapting nelson algrens powerful novel about drug addiction, a taboo topic in midcentury america. Saul bass was one of the greatest graphic designers of the last century. The book zooms in on basss staggeringly versatile creations, offering an amazingly comprehensive overview of his life and work.
Naturally, kallis is included in pat kirkham and jennifer basss epic saul bass. Saul bass on art of the title thanks to bob staake for pointing us to it. She is perhaps best known as the author with jennifer bass of the first major book about designer saul bass, the monograph saul bass. Bass used his innovative ideas and unique perspective of the. Phil meggs, alex white, steven heller, all worthy authors in the design community. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for spartacus, designed by saul and elaine bass, from her authoritative book saul bass. How graphic designer saul bass revolutionized the movie. American graphic designer saul bass is known for his work on outstanding film posters, such as the shining, the man with the golden arm, vertigo, anatomy of a murder, and many more. Saul bass with images saul bass, book design, saul.
A life in film and design by jennifer bass, pat kirkham. Everyone familiar with sauls name knows that his stature in film title design is equivalent to paul rands in corporate identity. The average lifespan of a saul bass logo is a whopping 34 years. The definitive saul bass book has arrived cartoon brew. The specific process behind basss unusual lettering is not well documented. During his 40year career bass worked for some of hollywoods greatest filmmakers, including alfred hitchcock, otto preminger, billy wilder, stanley kubrick and martin scorsese. Book of the year for graphic designers is a tough thing to live up to. The book was compiled by bass s daughter jennifer bass and design historian pat kirkham, and even comes with a forward by. Designed by saul basss daughter jennifer and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham, who knew saul bass, this book contains more than 1,400 illustrations, many from the bass archive and never published before, providing an indepth account of. It should be noted that much of sauls title design work after 1960 was made in collaboration with his wife elaine bass. Saul bass 19201996 was one of the best, beloved and prolific designers of all time. He ranks just barely below rand as a founding father of graphic design in the 20th century, and this book offers a wealth of examples of his successes both in marketingadvertising and as a filmmaker and titleist.
Christian workedout that the average lifespan of a saul bass logo is 34 years. A life in film and design the story of a gladiator who leads a slave revolt against the might of the roman empire, spartacus was a highprofile project for kirk douglas, who both produced and starred in the movie. American graphic designer saul bass is known for his work on outstanding film posters, such as the shining, the man with the golden arm, vertigo, anatomy of a murder, and many. Best books of the year book of the year for graphic designers. The only featurelength film directed by graphic designer and filmmaker saul bass, it stars michael murphy, nigel davenport and lynne frederick.
The man with the golden arm, 1955, title sequence, saul bass. In the title sequence, the symbols boldness is offset by sensual flames that move lyrically around it. Designed by saul basss daughter jennifer and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham, who knew saul bass, this book contains more than 1,400 illustrations, many from the bass archive and never published before, providing an indepth account of one of the. Saul bass was a world renowned and respected graphic designer. It might be the most memorable film poster of all time. Tcm piece celebrating the art of saul bass, featuring title designer kyle cooper. A life in film and design by jennifer bass, 9781856697521, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The man who launched a million minimalist movie posters try not to hold that against him, graphic designer saul bass may have spent most of his career advertising other peoples work. Designed by jennifer bass, saul basss daughter and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham who knew saul bass personally, this book is full of. Saul bass helped define the visual culture of the 1950smost notably through creating memorable movie posters that are still resonant today.
But thanks to daughter jennifer, and collaborator pat kirkham, the ultimate treasure of saul is now preserved in a monumental hardcover book. Saul bass was a prominent american graphic designer of the twentiethcentury. The man with the golden arm is a 1955 american drama film with elements of film noir, based on the novel of the same name by nelson algren. Weve had at least a few of the greats honor the pages of dtg design bookshelf seymour chwast, milton glaser, andy warhol, david lance goines and now i take great pleasure in adding another of the alltime greats, saul bass. As with other projects, saul generated many idea sketches. Saul bass the contributions of american designer saul bass 19201996 initiated a revolution in the film advertising industry. Having extended the remit of graphic design to include. Saul bass may 8, 1920 april 25, 1996 was a graphic designer and filmmaker, perhaps best known for his design of film posters and motion picture title sequences. Oct 03, 2011 designed by jennifer bass, saul basss daughter and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham who knew saul bass personally, this book is full of images from the bass archive, providing an in depth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th centurymore. The bass short films won accolades across the world, including an oscar win in 1968 for why man creates. Oct 31, 20 saul bass s wonderfully warm illustrations from henris walk to paris come to mind on this sunny august day.
Born in new york city in 1920, saul bass was known as one of the best graphic designers for film, as he has created the credits and title sequences of over 60 films. Eventually you have the pleasure of seeing that the basses have knocked you right out of the ballpark. Where motion picture advertising was once an unrefined and artless trade, bass endowed the craft with the sophistication of a bonafide art form. Pat kirkham is an author, professor, and design historian. With over 400 pages, 1,400 illustrations and a gushing foreword by martin scorsese, saul bass. Saul bass, best known for transforming the way movies begin, was in fact a designer of incredible versatility. We focused on the handmade aspect of his creations and we wanted to hilight the human, the imperfections and singularities of his work. See more ideas about saul bass, bass and graphic design.
He was a pioneer of the modern title sequence designing. Title sequence from the seven year itch 1955, designed by saul bass. Among his most famous works are the title sequences for such classic films as the man with the golden arm 1955, north by northwest 1959, and psycho 1960. Saul bass might be the single most accomplished graphic designer in history. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for saint joan, from her authoritative book saul bass. See more ideas about saul bass, saul bass posters and bass. A life in film and design amazon this is the first book to be published on one of the greatest american designers of the 20th century, who was as famous for his work in film as for his corporate identity and graphic work. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for the man with the golden arm, from her authoritative book saul bass. In the early 60s there was an international or swiss style of. Screenwriter nicholas pileggi described it as simply brilliant, adding. Bass title credits for goodfellas 1990 logos made to last. The book was compiled by basss daughter jennifer bass and design historian pat kirkham, and even comes with a forward by. His style was modern, flat design as opposed to older illustrative styles and more modern 3d looking designs. Janchristopher horak traces bass from his humble beginnings as a selftaught artist to his professional peak, when auteur.
Pat kirkhams longoverdue book about graphic design legend and motion picture title innovator saul bass is finally out. Pacifica island art exodus motion picture jewish state of israel vintage film movie poster by saul bass c. As design historian pat kirkham shows in his forthcoming book on bass coauthored with bass daughter jennifer, the legendary visual communicator also applied his graphic wizardry to album and book covers, typefaces, packaging. Exploring the lesserknown, nonfilm work in the ace new. He largely designed motion picture title sequences, corporate logos and movie posters. Visualizza altre idee su saul bass, manifesti di film minimalisti e west side story. Saul bass sadly passed away in 1996, but left an inspiring collection of work. It recounts the story of a drug addict who gets clean while in prison, but struggles to stay that way in the outside world. Striking graphics, striking color contrast, and minimalism challenged everything we knew about movie marketing, making the vertigo poster a pivotal. Pdf saul bass a life in film and design download full. Designed by jennifer bass, saul basss daughter and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham who knew saul bass personally, this book is full of images from the bass archive, providing an in depth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th century. To celebrate the release of the longawaited book saul bass.
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