Bob Noorda
Encyclopedia
Bob Noorda was a Dutch-born graphic designer who lived and worked primarily in Milan
from 1954 to his death in 2010. Steven Heller
, in his New York Times obituary of Noorda, called him "an internationally known graphic designer who helped introduce a Modernist look to advertising posters, corporate logos and, in the 1960s, the entire New York City subway system."
Noorda was born in Amsterdam and attended the Instituut voor Kunstnijverheidsonderwijs (now the Gerrit Rietveld Academie
) and graduated in 1950. He moved to Milan in 1954. In Italy, Noorda gained fame for his design in the late 1950s and early 1960s for posters and advertisements for Pirelli
where he also served as art director.
In 1965, Noorda and fellow Milan-based designer Massimo Vignelli
were among the seven founders of Unimark International
, an American design firm with offices around the world, including Chicago and Milan. Noorda is best known in the United States for Unimark's work with New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority
.
In addition to the practice of design, Noorda was a professor in graphic design at Umanitaria in Milan, ISIA Urbino and IED in Milan
. From 1996 to 2001 he was a professor of visual communication at Politecnico di Milano. http://www.ideassociazione.it/en/soci/bob-noorda.php
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
from 1954 to his death in 2010. Steven Heller
Steven Heller (graphic design)
Steven Heller is an American art director, journalist, critic, author, and editor who specializes on topics related to graphic design....
, in his New York Times obituary of Noorda, called him "an internationally known graphic designer who helped introduce a Modernist look to advertising posters, corporate logos and, in the 1960s, the entire New York City subway system."
Noorda was born in Amsterdam and attended the Instituut voor Kunstnijverheidsonderwijs (now the Gerrit Rietveld Academie
Gerrit Rietveld Academie
-Profile:More than 45% of the student population comes from abroad, originating from over 60 different countries around the world. Most of the classes are in English...
) and graduated in 1950. He moved to Milan in 1954. In Italy, Noorda gained fame for his design in the late 1950s and early 1960s for posters and advertisements for Pirelli
Pirelli
Pirelli & C. SpA is a diverse multinational company based in Milan, Italy. The company, the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, is present in over 160 countries, has 20 manufacturing sites around the world and a network of around 10,000 distributors and retailers.Founded in Milan in 1872,...
where he also served as art director.
In 1965, Noorda and fellow Milan-based designer Massimo Vignelli
Massimo Vignelli
Massimo Vignelli is a designer who has done work in a number of areas ranging from package design to furniture design to public signage to showroom design through Vignelli Associates, which he co-founded with his wife, Lella...
were among the seven founders of Unimark International
Unimark International
Unimark International was an American design firm founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1964 by seven designers: Ralph Eckerstrom, Massimo Vignelli, James Fogelman, Wally Gutches, Larry Klein, Robert Moldafsky and Bob Noorda. Unimark filed for final Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1977, and no longer exists...
, an American design firm with offices around the world, including Chicago and Milan. Noorda is best known in the United States for Unimark's work with New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
.
In addition to the practice of design, Noorda was a professor in graphic design at Umanitaria in Milan, ISIA Urbino and IED in Milan
Istituto Europeo di Design
The Istituto Europeo di Design is a design school that attracts students from over 90 different countries to its one and three year/four undergraduate, masters courses and advanced training courses....
. From 1996 to 2001 he was a professor of visual communication at Politecnico di Milano. http://www.ideassociazione.it/en/soci/bob-noorda.php