Long live the Swiss

Aug 30 ’06

Filed in design, ephemeral

When I was a kid my family lived in Geneva for 5 years. It was a formative time in my life, and I still think very fond thoughts of the Swiss. I've always thought of them as a rather typical European country, but smaller, more quaint and with a much more closed and provincial mind-set. However, over the years I've learned that they have a rather interesting sense of art and design, one that is much more prominent than in many countries. Their influnence on graphic design is unmeasurable: take Helvetica, for instance. The Swiss really helped make modernism.

Their artistic sense really shines in public art projects, however — like architectural contests, creative painting of radar camera boxes, and generally constructing their public spaces well. What surprises me is when they go super modern and cutting edge. Take this toilet, for example.

The Swiss freakin' rule.

Start the conversation

* indicates a required field