Kurt Wirth

For three years Wirth was an apprentice with Hans Fischer and other designers and took courses at the Berne Gewerbeschule, before opening his own atelier in 1937. He illustrated books, newspapers and periodicals. He designed 180 book covers for Fischer Verlag of Frankfurt, and produced promotional material for the pharmaceutical industry. In 1955 he was one of the four artists who founded Tim (Team). For five years they created murals and paintings in all techniques. Kurt Wirth was a great draughtsman, who wrote excellent books about the techniques of this art; he won a gold medal at the Israel Biennale for art books 1977.

Wirth taught at the Berne Kunstgewerbeschule.

He was the president of the VSG, the Swiss designers association, 1956-59. He had solo exhibitions in Berne, Zürich, Frankfurt and London. But aside from all that, he was an excellent poster designer, who contributed strongly to the great Swiss reputation. He worked for Swiss Railways, for book promotions, sports and Swissair. He was also the designer of a corporate programme for that airline. The images and type in his posters were very well matched. Kurt was a true AGI member, with strong, valuable opinions.