Armin Hofmann. Reduction. Ethics. Didactics.

Most likely the most personal and comprehensive book about the life’s work of Armin Hofmann.

Armin Hofmann has influenced generations of graphic designers around the world with his work and approaches. Far removed from doctrinaire views, he exemplified a professional attitude that was characterized by the idea of reduction, a pragmatic outlook, and a deep sense of responsibility. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of his creative work, his professional ethics, and the principles he developed and applied in his teaching.

It is structured along three levels: the in-depth examination of Hofmann’s work, his biography, and original texts on various aspects of his work. Guest contributions from former students and later renowned graphic designers and typographers, as well as fellow colleagues, paint a very personal picture and illustrate the worldwide influence of his work based on their own pieces. This book was compiled almost exclusively from original sources, in particular from the extensive private archive, enabling a very authentic, profound, and multifaceted immersion into the legacy of Armin Hofmann.

Matthias Hofmann, son of Armin Hofmann, born 1970, lives and works in Lucerne. He is a graphic designer, publisher and musician who has contributed to the cultural scene in Lucerne for decades. Since 2000, he has also taught at the Zürich School of Design and has been responsible for the design of books.