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Exhibition

Typeface to Interface

Graphic Design from the Collection
May 14–October 23, 2016
Floor 6

Anchored by a major gift from graphic designer and collector Aaron Marcus, this exhibition presents a selection from SFMOMA’s permanent collection of graphic design since 1950. Typeface to Interface notes the shift from analog to digital in visual communication and includes important examples of communication tools that have shaped our relationship with graphic design. Oscillating between structured formalism and free form expression, the works on view show the rapidly evolving field of graphic design. Advertising, wayfinding, and information systems are displayed alongside artistic and conceptual experimentation, providing a view of the progressive discourse on what graphic design is and how it is used.

Header image: Jürg Lehni, Viktor (detail), 2006–16; collection SFMOMA, Accessions Committee Fund purchase; © Jürg Lehni

Exhibition Preview

A chalkboard drawing of a vintage Mac computer with the word "hello." written on the screen.
Artwork image, Armin Hofmann's Giselle Ballet, Basel poster
Artwork image, Jacqueline Casey, The Moon Show
Artwork image, Tauba Auerbach, ZS letters
Object image, Apple Macintosh
Artwork image, Stefan Sagmeister, AIGA Detroit
Artwork image, ​Wim Crouwel, Poster for Vormgevers exhibition
Artwork image, Victor Moscoso Blue Cheer

Jürg Lehni, Viktor (detail), 2006–16; collection SFMOMA, Accessions Committee Fund purchase; © Jürg Lehni

Armin Hofmann, Giselle Ballet, Basel poster, 1959; lithograph; collection SFMOMA, gift of Aaron Marcus; © Armin Hofmann; photo: Katherine Du Tiel

Jacqueline Casey, The Moon Show, 1969; collection SFMOMA, gift of Aaron Marcus; © Jacqueline Casey, MIT; photo: Don Ross

Tauba Auerbach, ZS Letters (3D) (detail), 2015; collection SFMOMA, Accessions Committee Fund purchase; © Tauba Auerbach; photo: Don Ross

Apple Inc., (Established 1976, Cupertino, California), Apple Macintosh, 1984; collection SFMOMA, Accessions Committee Fund purchase; photo: Victor Solomon

Stefan Sagmeister, Poster for AIGA Detroit lecture, Cranbrook, Michigan, 1999; collection SFMOMA, gift of the designer; © Stefan Sagmeister; photo: Don Ross

Wim Crouwel, Poster for Vormgevers exhibition, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, 1968; collection SFMOMA, Accessions Committee Fund purchase; © Wim Crouwel; photo: Don Ross

Victor Moscoso, Blue Cheer, Lee Michaels, Clifton Chenier; Avalon Ballroom, October 6-8, 1967, 1967; collection SFMOMA, gift of Jim Chanin; © Victor Moscoso; photo: Don Ross

From flying letters to drawing robots, the exhibition Typeface to Interface has something for all types. Explore graphics and letterforms made of everything from ink to blood to digital bytes in this companion to the show.
A chalkboard drawing of a vintage Mac computer with the word "hello." written on the screen.
Two disembodied arms set on a white keyboard holding two old computer mice; Typeface to Interface
99% Invisible
Of Mice and Men
Cartoon image of a computer interface; Typeface to Interface
YouTube
A Computer Glossary or, Coming to Terms with the Data Processing Machine
Colorful info graphic/flow chart listing female graphic designers from California; Typeface to Interface
The Design Observer Group
Louise Sandhaus: California Girls
Screengrab of a webpage showing blue words on the left and a black undulating form on a white background
read
Jürg Lehni and the Poetic Potential of Drawing Machines
See All