the 70s: PUNK design

never mind the bullocks, 1977

punk's embrace of the void is not that obvious in this album. reid's random note-style reflects a frustration with 1970's corporate media indulgence.

* flat colors reinforce 1970s nihilism. 

* fast, messy, unpolished—whether it was an album cover, a promotional poster or a DIY zine, these tenets held steadfast.

* these principles don't mean lack of planning or knowledge of design. No. 

* each design is supposed to question the standards and defying the norms of contemporary culture.

This was an art of expediency, making use of collage, cartoon drawings, hand-lettering, rub-down lettering, ransom-note lettering, stencils,…rubber-stamping and black and white Xerox copying, as well as silkscreen and offset litho. --Rick Poynor (for Design Observer).

And to prove the point of Punk graphic design having a nihilistic persuasion, look at this Dada poster by Raul Hausmann (1919):