Every fall I teach the History of Graphic Design which is an Undergrad/Grad course in Visual Studies. We take a non-linear approach to the history of graphic design by trying to uncover the motivations behind the projects that make history. During my first semester teaching at UB, I chose Phillip Meggs “History of Graphic Design” as our text book. Towards the end of the semester, we reached the section on Dutch Graphic Design. The work featured in this section included none other than my former colleagues Bob van Dijk and Joost Roozekrans.
So instead of telling stories of my time at this historic studio, I decided to give them a call and let the students see for themselves that genius is often accompanied by insanity.
We used my laptop, hooked up to a projector, external speakers and the free video software, Skype. It worked brilliantly! When we rang, all of the members of the studio answered the video call wearing masks bearing my face. After the hysterical laughter died down (on both sides of the Atlantic), Bob van Dijk, Joost Roozekrans and Oscar Smeulders proceeded to give a guided tour of their studio, their work and a short documentary made especially for our class. The students asked questions, interacted and inspired by the antics, energy and intensity of the work that was presented…
NLXL (from Left) Hanneke Minten, Joost Roozekrans, Dennis Paauw, David Benque, Bob van Dijk
