Dutch Profiles: Jan van Toorn

Jan van Toorn, born in 1932, is one of Holland's most influential graphic designers. Central to his approach is the application of content-based strategies, resulting in a design practice as a form of visual journalism. Opposite to the more self-contained designs of the modernist tradition, Van Toorn is always striving for designs that are open to different ways of seeing... Van Toorn's view on the role of design manifested itself clearly during passionate debates with Wim Crouwel, one of Holland's other great design heroes, and a absolute advocate of pure functional design. Here at the University of Amsterdam Van Toorn's enormous body of work is being persevered for future generations. From the late sixties to late seventies, Van Toorn made special calendars in which he explored different ways of visual communication. For the famous 72 edition Van Toorn collected hundreds of portraits. During Van Toorn's long and longstanding career education has played an important role. With positions at prestigious universities and art institutes worldwide, Van Toorn trained generations of students to conceive their design practice as a quest for creative autonomy. And still, at the age of 80, Van Toorn continues to pass on his love for critical reflection to young graphic designers. Like here at the Saint Joost Academy in Breda where he reviews the work of master students.

CREDITS:
Commissioning editor: Geert van de Wetering
Line producer: Janneke van de Kerkhof
Production assistant: Anjet Blinde
Research: Liselotte Francken
Director: Geert van de Wetering
Camera: Pierre Rezus
Sound: Benny Jansen
Editor: Geert van de Wetering
Voice-over: Micha Westera
Color correction: Maurik de Ridder
Music sound design: Pastelle Music
Archief: NTR en Beeld en Geluid

Produced by Submarine, Femke Wolting & Bruno Felix
http://www.submarine.nl

Commissioned by DutchDFA
http://www.dutchdfa.com

Like Dutch Profiles on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/dutchprofiles

Видео Dutch Profiles: Jan van Toorn канала Dutch Profiles