Spanish Design and Architecture 1990

 Spanish Design and Architecture by Emma Dent Coad looks at examples of 20th century design in Spain, first published in 1990.

Though all the designs have a old fashioned feel to them its interesting to see how the design has changed and some of the key elements of typically 'Spanish' design.

As the book looks art design and architecture it is interesting for me as these are some of the main themes of my 'Guide to'.

Within the architecture the book speaks about the 1992 Olympics having a large roll in promoting a new kind of culture and this underlined by the Catalan spirt seen in the art work of , Joan miro, Juan Gris and Salvador Dali. The work of Gaudi of course being a major influence in the architecture seen in Barcelona, this more expressive style of gothic architecture that was extremely detailed and complicated. This is some ways ignored by the 1970's the focus was more on a more modernist and moderate, simple solutions in the architecture. See in the mies van der Rohe pavilion and the Joan Miro Foundation. This more modernist style was then translated into the graphic design by shown in a more human and personal style at times.

This beautiful design for the cover of the 'El Sueno Interrumpido de Miro; exhibition shows how design can be minimal yet feel exciting and interesting, the use of the flat blue colour alongside the simple white type  lets the main piece of art work be the focus but communicates clearly. I think this very bright use of colour is something quite typically Spanish and would be good to include in my work.









The 'El Periodic de Catalunya' masthead for the Barcelona based magazine agin shows this simplistic by exciting use of tpye that is pretty large but doesn't feel overbearing. The use of the red colour background feels Spanish in its nature and stands out on the page. Though the style is a little old fashioned the same principles of simplistic yet colourful design is again shown. 

This poster for the 1986 'Las Espanolas del Ano' event is very simple but keeps with this simple but eye catching design. I love the use of the simple shapes and the two red and yellow colours that reflect the Spanish flag. The type is clear but not over powering and the whole poster feels together.
It is important to look at some older examples of Spanish design to see where it is the design has come from and what elements underpin the aesthetics of the designs.