see these images at bonluxant.com

Google’s Josef Frank inspired logo for today has created quite a bit of frenzy in the web-world.  Sure, we’re all talking about Josef Frank, but how much do you actually know? Keep reading for a crash-course on the designer who would have been 125 years old today.

The Man: a little bit of history

Born in 1885 in Vienna, Josef Frank was of Jewish-Hungarian descent.  Though frequently cited as a Swedish designer (he lived in Stockholm from 1933 until his death in 1967), Frank made important contributions to the design circles in both of the countries he called home.

The Myth: design style

Josef Frank was a designer in every sense of the word whose work was not limited to a single medium. ScandanavianDesign.com says succinctly:

Josef Frank’s life could be wonderfully characterized as one always in motion. Moving with ease from architecture and furniture design to glassware, lighting and metalwork–his was an eclecticism fueled by curiosity. [A]nd nothing captures this roaming imagination better than his textiles…celebratory and vibrant, they redefined Swedish modernism.

The Legend: a never-ending design legacy

Big claims indeed.  But in an interview with Meuplepeint.com, Professor of Architecture at University Texas-Austin, Christopher Long, said Josef Frank’s most enduring legacy was his influence on the Swedish design school.  More specifically, that on IKEA founder, Ingvar Kamprad.

So – go and impress your friends.

-B.C.Bodnar

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