Graphic Design heritage
Kees Nieuwenhuijzen (1933-2017) was a designer who did not spend much time theorizing about his profession. For fifty years, books have dominated his life, from literary paperbacks to photography tomes, but his oeuvre also includes architectural magazines, movie titles, posters and postage stamps. These different graphic products deliver proof of his meticulous professionalism and his joy at creating them.
As a book and magazine designer, Kees Nieuwenhuijzen often fulfilled the role of (co)editor, a role he played with restraint. He did not abuse his position as editor by pushing for his own ideas or creating his own projects. He needed to be part of the editorial team for a valid reason: to be well enough informed about the contents to be able to function as an efficient intermediary. He was a pragmatic modernist.
Dutch Graphic Roots is a series of online publications and aims at generating attention to the roots of Dutch graphic design culture.
Text: Mathieu Lommen
