• Store
  • Design Jobs
  • Firms
  • Awards
  • Conference
e

Core77

Sign In / Join Now;
e
  • Topics
    • Product Design
    • Process
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • News
    • Furniture
    • Tools
    • Transportation
    • Education
    • Footwear
    • Impact
    • Reference
    • Video
  • Features
    • Features
    • Yo! C77 Sketch
    • Photo Galleries
    • Bizarre Inventions
    • Design Calendar
    • Weekly Maker's Roundup
    • DiResta's Cut
    • Industrial Design Tips
    • Hand Tool School
    • Tools & Craft
    • Design Experience that Matters
  • Shopping Guide
  • Projects
    • Projects
    • Firm Projects
    • Reader Projects
  • Forums
    • Forums
    • General Discussion
    • Students & Schools
    • Design Employment
    • Sketching
    • Software & Technology
    • All Forums
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise

Peter Saville on How "Autobahn" Changed His Life

By Ray Hu - Jul 19, 2011

  • Join Core77 Today
  • Submit your projects for publication
  • }Favorite This
  • Y1
  • m1
  • U1
  • [1
  • X1
  • H1
  • 3 Comments
Braun Prize Braun Prize

As I mentioned in yesterday's recap of the "Avant/Garde Diaries" launch event, Peter Saville related that the album art for Kraftwerk's 1974 LP Autobahn was the singular inspiration for his decision to pursue graphic design—a sound decision, considering that his artwork for the likes of Joy Division and New Order has perhaps eclipsed that of their krautrock predecessor. In fact, Autobahn was the first record that he bought with his own money—until that point in his teenage years, he simply borrowed tunes from his older brothers.

The überminimal design gave Saville his first taste of semiotics as an underlying issue in visual communication. To hear him tell it, the abstracted highway represents "time, history [and] travel" even as it resembles everything from a "power station [to a] cathedral." Saville also noted the ideograph's deeper meaning in terms of "history as well as space," where it has taken on a cultural significance in addition to its graphic one.

Any other graphic designers care to share their "Eureka" moments in the comments? (I'm personally a fan of Stanley Donwood's work for Radiohead...)

Peter Saville is a British art director from Manchester, best known for his album covers for Joy Division, OMD, New Order and other bands signed with the Factory Records label. His work—for instance the legendary cover for the New Order single Blue Monday in the form of an 8-inch floppy disk or the cover for the Joy Division album Unknown Pleasures—stands out with its quintessential, minimalist style. He runs his own company Peter Saville Associates. Apart from his work with the music industry, he has also worked for customers such as CNN, Adobe Systems, Givenchy and Stella McCartney.

The latest design news, jobs & events.
Straight to you every other week.

Join over 300,000 designers who stay up-to-date with the Core77 newsletter...

Subscribe

Test it out; it only takes a single click to unsubscribe

  • }Favorite This
  • Y1
  • m1
  • U1
  • [1
  • X1
  • H1
  • Graphic Design

Ray Hu

  • x
  • x

Formerly an editor and currently a contributor to Core77 (among other publications), Ray brings a broad interest in popular culture, media, and technology — alongside an abiding passion for art, music, and cycling — to his practice as a journalist and critic.

3 Comments

  • conan
    6 years ago
    Z
    Z
    Reply
    I always wander how much of the reasoning behind a desing like this comes after the birth of the idea. Designing something simple is implicitly complicated. My most pure, creative ideas seem to stem from my most benign activity.
    !Report as spam
  • James D
    6 years ago
    Z
    Z
    Reply
    The Designers Republic's early album cover work, particularly their stuff for Pop Will Eat Itself had a huge impact on me.
    !Report as spam
  • modern envy
    6 years ago
    Z
    Z
    Reply
    A company called autobahn wheel co. uses that logo as theirs as well. They sell skateboard wheels.
    !Report as spam

Core77's Design Directory

View all Design Firms »

Core77 Adlets

Advertise Here

Recent Posts

  • Urban Design Observations: What is This Thing For?

    By Rain Noe - 5 hours ago

  • FinalStraw: This Folding Metal Straw is Killing It on Kickstarter!

    By Rain Noe - 6 hours ago

  • An Interview with Jonathan Ward, Founder of Icon (Part 2)

    By Rain Noe - 7 hours ago

  • Prototyping an Inexpensive Set of Folding Table Legs Out of Construction Lumber

    By Rain Noe - 7 hours ago

Continued Reading
  • Graphic Design
    1 Comment

    By David Seliger - Jul 14, 2011

    Wine and Brandy(ing)

    I'm quite enamored with some of Manasseh Langtimm's branding work. The Black Hand, a series of wine bottles based on the Italian extortion racket, would definitely stand out at a liquor store, with Frank Miller-esque graphics, retro newsprint fonts, embossing and beautiful detailing on the wax seals.Langtimm's proposal for the...

  • Graphic Design
    1 Comment

    By David Seliger - Jul 14, 2011

    A Poster of Truly Epic Proportions

    Eric Hu's astonishing 17-foot-tall poster tribute to 1960's architectural group Archigram is built on a custom typeface with elements of Archigram's body of work built on top. Although the final product is not immediately readable, this is perhaps intended to capture the way that buildings themselves are not completely "readable"...

  • Graphic Design

    By David Seliger - Jul 13, 2011

    Mulling it Over with Tom Muller

    Although we left him off of our list of six comic book cover artist/designers to watch out for, Belgian graphic designer Tom Muller is already a household name in the world of comic cover and logo design. His self-described design work that "mix[es] grid structure with Sci-fi-like style" is stunning...

  • Competition

    By Core Jr - Jul 13, 2011

    Core77 Design Awards Countdown: Graphics/Branding/Identity

    From L to R: Steven Heller, Bonnie Siegler, Arem Duplessis, Paula Scher, Mark RandallFrom L to R: Steven Heller, Bonnie Siegler, Arem Duplessis, Paula Scher, Mark RandallOver the next two weeks we'll be giving you a 24-hour reminder to set your clocks for the live broadcast of this year's inaugural...

K

{

Welcome

  • YSign In with Facebook
  • mSign In with Twitter
  • USign In with Linkedin
OR
  • jSign In with Core77 Account
  1. Forgot password?
  • Cancel

Don't have an account? Join Now

K

{

Welcome

Create a Core77 Account

  • YJoin Now with Facebook
  • mJoin Now with Twitter
  • UJoin Now with Linkedin
OR
  • jJoin Now with Email
  • Cancel

Already have an account? Sign In

By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use

K

Reset Password

Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.

  • Cancel
Today On the Core77 Network...
  • ]Design Jobs

    • Head of Design - Pet Furniture

      RefinedKind Pet Products Austin, Texas
    • Industrial Designer (Contract)

      Peloton New York, New York
    • Senior Packaging Production Artist

      FAI Design Group Irvington, New York
    • Full Stack UXer

      LearnCore Chicago, Illinois
    • Post A Job
    • View All Jobs
  • ]Design Directory

    View other design services:

    • _Hand-Eye Supply

      • Trusco 2-Level Cantilever Tool Box

        $65
      • Kaweco Highlighter Color Leads 5.5x80mm 3 pack

        $7
      • Hand-Eye Supply 6 PC Screwdriver Set

        $50
    • *Coroflot Portfolios

      • Coros Omni Helmet

        Dave Windham
      • Hexa, the first ever smart air filtration mask

        Kip Nordby
    • © 2018 Core77, Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Y
    • m
    • '
    • X
    • S
    • © 2018 Core77, Inc. All rights reserved.
    Advertise Here