Wim Crouwel retrospective, Design Museum, London

Posters and graphics by Wim Crouwel
Wim Crouwel's limited edition Wallpaper* cover was inspired by the interiors shoot he directed for our April issue. By using a colour gradient, he has created an illusion of space
(Image credit: TBC)

Wim Crouwel, the Dutch design icon who gave us the ultra-geometric Gridnik typeface, gets his turn in the frame with his first UK retrospective at London's Design Museum opening today.

With his agency, Total Design, Crouwel pioneered a rigorously functional approach to posters, logos and corporate identities, changing the face of design in the Netherlands. Looking at key moments in his career, including his creation of Gridnik and the New Alphabet - an extraordinary cipher script of vertical and horizontal lines -- the Design Museum will also venture into the designer's role as a 'spatial organizer' for exhibitions and fair stands.

Crouwel has used grids consistently throughout his career, which visibly or invisibly direct the balance of his designs. 'I rarely make even the smallest sketch without drawing on squared paper,' he says. So, when we asked him to bring his uniquely tight grip on form and space to our interiors shoot for our April issue, we weren't surprised to find the grid incarnated in 3D. For a glimpse of this, take a look at his limited edition Wallpaper* cover (above), inspired by the shoot. But to see the full results you'll have to turn to the pages of the April issue of the magazine - out now.

Leger poster by Wim Crouwel, 1957

Leger poster by Wim Crouwel, 1957, for Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven

(Image credit: Design Museum)

Exhibition poster by Wim Crouwel, 1968

Exhibition poster by Wim Crouwel, 1968, for Foder Museum, Amsterdam

(Image credit: TBC)

Vormgevers poster by Wim Crouwel, 1968

Vormgevers poster by Wim Crouwel, 1968, for Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam

(Image credit: TBC)

Edgar Fernhout poster by Wim Crouwel, 1963

Edgar Fernhout poster by Wim Crouwel, 1963, for Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven

(Image credit: TBC)

Dutch stamp designed by Wim Crouwel in the 1970s

Dutch stamp designed by Wim Crouwel in the 1970s

(Image credit: TBC)

Dutch stamp designed by Wim Crouwel in the 1970s

Dutch stamp designed by Wim Crouwel in the 1970s

(Image credit: TBC)

Morris Louis poster by Wim Crouwel, 1965

Morris Louis poster by Wim Crouwel, 1965, for Stedelijk Museum, Eindhoven

(Image credit: TBC)

Kinderspel poster, by Wim Crouwel, 1965

Kinderspel poster, by Wim Crouwel, 1965, for Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam

(Image credit: TBC)

A limited edition rug by Tony Brook for Tai Ping, featuring Crouwel’s New Alphabet

A limited edition rug by Tony Brook for Tai Ping, featuring Crouwel’s New Alphabet will be sold exclusively at the Design Museum shop to accompany the forthcoming exhibition

(Image credit: TBC)

A limited edition wallpaper by Tony Brook for Cole & Son, inspired by Crouwel’s letterforms

A limited edition wallpaper by Tony Brook for Cole & Son, inspired by Crouwel’s letterforms, will also be at the Design Museum shop

(Image credit: TBC)

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel’ at the Design Museum

(Image credit: Luke Hayes)

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel’ at the Design Museum

(Image credit: Luke Hayes)

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel’ at the Design Museum

(Image credit: Luke Hayes)

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel’ at the Design Museum

(Image credit: Luke Hayes)

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel

Installation from the show ’A Graphic Odyssey by Wim Crouwel’ at the Design Museum

(Image credit: Luke Hayes)

Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.