When graphic designer Walter Allner passed away at the remarkable age of 97, he left behind an extraordinary collection of both published and unpublished work that spans several decades. His son, Peter Allner, has been generous in sharing this vast archive of consistently emblematic design work, ensuring that his father's significant contributions to the field are remembered and celebrated by future generations.
Thanks to Peter's generosity and his dedication to preserving his father's legacy, a treasure trove of ephemera has been made available for publication. This collection is particularly fascinating because it has stood the test of time, serving as a defining representation of Midcentury Modernism from the late 1950s through the 1980s. The body of work demonstrates remarkable consistency in style and vision throughout these transformative decades in design history.
A few weeks ago, attention was focused on Allner's Bauhaus-inspired prints and posters, including a glimpse of his impressive portfolio of 70 Fortune magazine covers. Today, the spotlight turns to similarly inspired work that Allner created for various other clients during his prolific career. These pieces showcase the same aesthetic principles and innovative approach that made his Fortune covers so memorable and influential in the design world.
Long before the personal computer revolution completely transformed the methods and processes used to produce graphic design, Walter Allner demonstrated remarkable foresight by predicting the eventual integration of aesthetics and advanced technology. This visionary approach led him to work directly with computer engineers whenever possible, positioning himself at the forefront of technological innovation in design. His willingness to embrace new tools and methods set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
Writing in a 1966 PRINT magazine article, John Lahr observed that "Allner's interest in science, coupled with a venturesome spirit, has led him into exciting new design fields." This combination of scientific curiosity and adventurous creativity became a hallmark of Allner's approach throughout his career. He was never content to simply follow established practices but constantly sought new ways to push the boundaries of what graphic design could achieve.
Allner's experimental nature extended to his pioneering work with light and motion. He conducted extensive experiments with various methods of manipulating light and developed what became known as a form of kinetic light painting. This innovative technique represented a groundbreaking fusion of traditional artistic principles with cutting-edge technology, demonstrating his ability to bridge different disciplines and create entirely new forms of visual expression.
From these diverse influences and experimental approaches came the distinctive visual elements that Walter Allner became renowned for: bold color fields, precise geometric forms, and reductive imagery that distilled complex ideas into their essential visual components. These elements combined to create a signature style that was both timeless and thoroughly modern, embodying the best principles of Midcentury Modernism while pointing toward future possibilities in design.
