André Gürtler

André Gürtler – born 5. 9. 1936 in Basle, Switzerland – graphic designer, typographer, type designer, teacher.

1952–56: trains as a typesetter. First exercises in calligraphy. 1957: further training as a typographical designer with Emil Ruder. First exercises in type design. 1958–59: letterer for the Monotype Corporation in Salfords, England. 1959–65: type designer and typographer with Adrian Frutiger in Paris. Works for Sofratype SA for two years. Teaches lettering for a year at the Académie Populaire des Arts Plastiques. From 1965 onwards: teaches type design at the Schule für Gestaltung in Basle, i. e. calligraphy, type design, trademark and logotype design, history of type and typographical theory. Also works for the type-manufacturing industry and produces book designs and typographical and graphic work. From 1969 onwards: guest lecturer at Yale University and the Rhode Island School of Design. 1972: founder of the ATypI committee for research and education. On the editorial staff of "Typografische Monatsblätter" magazine for over 20 years. Various publications in "Visible Language" (USA) and "tipografica" (Argentina) magazines. From 1982 onwards: guest lecturer at various universities in Mexico. 1990–94: works on the EC COMETT II programm Didot, an educational exchange program for schools in Europe.

Fonts: ITC Avant Garde Gothic® (with Christian Mengelt and Erich Gschwind, 1977,they created the oblique font weights), Egyptian 505 (1966), Media (with Christian Mengelt and Erich Gschwind, 1976), Basilia®(1978), Signa (1978), Haas Unica (1980).

* TYPOGRAPHY – An Encyclopedic Survey of Type Design and Techniques Throughout History by Friedrich Friedl, Nicolaus Ott (Editor), Bernard Stein, published by Könemann Verlagsgesellschaft mbH.