Lora Lamm is a Swiss illustrator and graphic designer born in Arosa (January 11, 1928)[1] known for her works for Pirelli and La Rinascente. Her distinctive style, characterized by clean lines, bold use of colour, and playful experimentation, made her prominent in graphic design during the 1950s and 1960s.[2]
Life and career
editTraining and early career
editOn the suggestion of a teacher at her secondary school, Lamm trained in graphic design at the Zurich Kunstgewerbeschule (School of Arts and Craft) under Johannes Itten, Ernst Keller and Ernst Gubler, among others.[3] After graduation, between 1952 and 1953, she worked for a short period in the graphic design studio of Romain Sager in Zurich, part of the Triplex agency,[4] before moving to Milan upon the advice of Max Huber, who had also attended the Kunstgewerbeschule.
Graphic designer in Milan
editSoon after moving to Milan in 1953, Lamm began working for Studio Boggeri, a centret for Italian graphic design during those years, under the coordination of Frank C. Thiessing. The Studio, founded by Antonio Boggeri in 1933, viewed[vague] some of the most Italian, German, and Swiss graphic designers, like Erberto Carboni, Fortunato Depero, Franco Grignani, Max Huber, Enzo Mari, Armando Milani, Bruno Monguzzi, Bob Noorda, Xanti Schawinsky, Albe Steiner and Carlo Vivarelli.[5] Despite the mainly male working environment,[3] she quickly established herself, transitioning from package design to a significant collaboration with Panettoni Motta Milano.
In 1954, she began working in the advertising department of La Rinascente, a Italian department store chain based in Milan, under the direction of Gianni Bordoli.[3] Here she met Amneris Latis, a Swiss designer whom she considers her first important mentor.[3] During her years at La Rinascente, she also worked freelance for Pirelli, Elizabeth Arden, Olivetti, Niggi Cosmetica and Consorzio Latte Milano.[2] In 1958, she was promoted to head of the creative department after Max Huber left the role. From this moment, she was also allowed to sign her work.[3] Her contribution to La Rinascente consisted of catalogues, posters, advertisements, invitations, mailers, packaging and other publicity, besides the curation of the Il Giappone ("Japan") exhibit of 1956.[2]
Return to Switzerland
editIn 1963 Lamm returned to Switzerland and continued her work as a freelance graphic designer. She then began working for the Frank C. Thiessing, BSR agency, which operated in Zurich and Lugano.[1] She stopped working as graphic designer in 2000.
Graphic style
editAlthough illustration is the essential component of Lora Lamm's style, she still considers herself a graphic designer..[3] Her works "stand out by their originality from the models of the designers at that time greatly in vogue in Milan" (Mario Piazza).[6] She shifted the role of the poster from an artistic endorsement to a "work of art in the service of the advertisement" (Mario Piazza).[6]
Exhibitions and awards
editExhibitions
edit- Zürich HB – Milano Centrale[7] (2006). Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Zurich. 24 October 2006 – 23 February 2007
- Lora Lamm. Grafica a Milano 1953–1963 / Graphic design in Milan 1953–1963 (2013). m.a.x. museo, Chiasso (CH). 24 May 2013 – 21 July 2013
- Lora Lamm – La vita è bella[8] (2015). Museum für Gestaltung Zürich. 24 June 2015 – 16 August 2015
Awards
edit- Schweizer Grand Prix Design[9] (2015)
References
edit- ^ a b "Lamm, Lora". SIK-ISEA Recherche. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ a b c "Design Pioneer: Lora Lamm". 2013-02-23. Archived from the original on 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ a b c d e f Twenty over eighty: conversations on a lifetime in architecture and design. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. 2016. ISBN 978-1-61689-574-7.
- ^ "Lora Lamm". www.emuseum.ch. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "Graphic Design Across the Border". Parco Gallery. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ a b Lamm, Lora; Ossanna Cavadini, Nicoletta; m.a.x. museo, eds. (2013). Lora Lamm: grafica a Milano, graphic design in Milan; 1953–1963; [25 maggio – 21 luglio 2013, Centro Culturale Chiasso, M.A.X.Museo, Chiasso]. Cinisello Balsamo Milano: Silvana. ISBN 978-88-366-2653-3.
- ^ "Zürich HB – Milano Centrale | Kunstbulletin". www.kunstbulletin.ch.
- ^ "Lora Lamm – La vita è bella". www.emuseum.ch.
- ^ Bundesamt für Kultur. "Schweizer Grand Prix Design 2015". www.schweizerkulturpreise.ch.