Graphic Design History in Film and Video
In 1995, I assisted David Peters (Two Twelve Associates) in his research: Graphic Design History in Film and Video. Film Titles, Film Trailers, and Short Films Curated by David Peters.
Funded by a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant, his media research project for the AIGA is considered an early and essential inventory of importance in film history. For David and I, it was an opportunity to bond over our passion for motion graphics. His research looked at the earliest days of cinema, covering Robert Brownjohn, Maurice Binder, Pablo Ferro, Robert Greenberg, Kyle Cooper, and of course, Saul and Elaine Bass. The timeline for the research ended with the groundbreaking titles for Se7en.
I recall Kyle Cooper’s work for David Fincher’s Se7en was the first time I was completely struck by an opening sequence, not wholly comprehending the importance of what I had just viewed. I wasn’t alone, as the work is regarded as a seminal achievement in film history.
These days, many consider the early days of opening credits as conceived Saul and Elaine Bass. Their work for directors like Otto Preminger, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese helped start of this minigenre. As the archivist for the research, the project connected me to industry stars, including Robert Greenberg, Michael Horsham, and Pablo Ferro.
In late April 1996, Saul Bass passed. I was invited to a memorial service at the Copper Union in late May. Thinking it was open to the design public, upon arrival I realized this was a private ceremony for family and friends. Guests included Lou Dorfsman, Eve Preminger, Martin Scorcese, and other design and film notables. Did I meet Michael Bierut there? Spike Lee? It was a bit of a blur, as I was awestruck by the company and introduced to industry icons. I recall hearing speeches written by George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ray Bradbury, and Robert Redford. Most memorable was the speech by Scorcese. To this day, I am not sure how I got the invitation; possibly the AIGA’s Rich Greffe, but I have a hunch it was Pablo Ferro.
Firm of Record: David Peters Design: David Peters (researcher, writer, and project manager), John deWolf (consultation and archivist) Client: AIGA Timeframe: 1995–1996
Animation Enchanted.Media. Music: The Mountian, Rhythm & Strings [Sound of Picture Production Library] Podington Bear.
Related: John deWolf RGD shares a list of the top 5 graphic design cameos in film for the Registered Designers of Canada.
Of interest: Walk on the Wild Side by Saul and Elaine Bass; on his role in film, Saul Bass: The Art of the Title Sequence; and some of the most remarkable opening titles designed by Saul and Elaine Bass, Saul Bass: Famous title sequences from Preminger to Scorsese. Read about the minigenre in Canva’s historical account, The graphic art of film title design throughout cinema history.
