The San Francisco International Book Club

Kieler Woche 1979 Stamp Block
Designed by Bruno Oldani

Designing the posters for the annual Kieler Woche sailing regatta has developed into one of the most prestigious European design competitions since it started in 1948. Since 1959 only five designers or design practices have been invited to take part in the competition, so that participation as such represents a distinction and has proved a crucial milestone in many designers’ careers. Winners and participants such as Ruedi Baur, Wim Crouwel, Willy Fleckhaus, Jan Lenica, Josef Müller-Brockmann and Odermatt+Tissi are outstanding European designers. The brief has remained unchanged for 60 years, and offers a unique survey of the development of European graphics..” — Lars Müller Publishers

• — Stamp sheet
• — Stamp detail
• — Detail of 1979 Keiler Woche event poster – scan from A5/04: Keiler Woche edite by Edited by Jens Müller and Karen Weiland

This stamp sheet is designed by world-reknowned Swiss designer Bruno Oldani. Oldani has received over 75 awards, taught extensively, and was the subject of a solo show in 2006 at the famous ddd Gallery in Osaka, Japan. The stamp's abstract, geometric, shapes have a striking graphic simplicity, and are especially curious when compared to the other elements of the 1979 Keiler Woche idenity. For instance, its poster focuses on photographic imagery rather than the graphic elements. Oldani operates a studio in Oslo Norway with his son Simon, see more of Bruno's work here and Simon's here.