it was not until the early twentieth century that designers purposely exploited and revealed new technical capabilities

richard harlfinger, 40th secession exhibition poster, 1912

 

what's unique about this design?

 

the expressionist "S" engufls the lettering blocks within its rhythm. 

 

the letters are hand-drawn, the design overwhelms any individual expressive quality. 

 

the weight of the negative space is expertly calibrated to strike a compact pulsing balance. 

 

this is both about abstraction and geometry. 

 

the organic motifs of the nouveau era have been left behind. the search for a universal language of form has begun.