Belgian Institute
of Graphic Design

‘So now I come to speak. At last. I will tell you all I know. I was deceived to think I could not do this. I have the powers; I take them here. I have the right. I have the means. My words may be poor, but they will have to do.’ – Paul Griffiths, Let Me Tell You (Hastings: Reality Street, 2008), 7

Researching the contributions of Maria Sèthe (1867-1943) to the art and career of her more famous husband, the architect Henry van de Velde (1863-1957), is a charged experience. It requires negotiating expectations and hopes — both those of others and our own — as well as pushing against disciplinary boundaries.

Cette réflexion sur le travail de Claude Rutault fait suite à un travail de résidence mené par Léonore Conte avec le designer graphique Léo Carbonnet au Centre des Livres d’artistes en 2022 et qui a donné forme à la publication de l’ouvrage Artistes typographes qui propose une exploration visuelle de cent trente-deux livres d’artistes.

Out Soon was a free Belgian magazine published from 1992 to 2008. At its peak, it distributed no fewer than 50,000 copies each month across clubs, record shops, bars, restaurants, clothing stores, and other trendy spots. Launched in November 1992 , Out Soon revolved around nightlife and music as its unifying themes.

Le fil conducteur de ce texte se déploie autour de l’idée d’affect comme force motrice de création en design graphique. Cette vision personnelle du design graphique est traversée par des émotions qui le rendent politique et situé — qu’il s’agisse de colère, d’amour, de soin ou de joie militante.

Once called Museum voor Sierkunst, Museum voor Sierkunst en Vormgeving, or Museum voor Sierkunst en Industriële Vormgeving, Design Museum Gent has had various names. Each name reflected different visions of what the museum should be. In its early years, there was no overall identity as we know it today. Some designers, like Frida Burssens, worked multiple times for the museum, and templates designed by Octave Landuyt were used for different exhibitions.

In 1997, the first exhibition on graphic design took place at Design Museum Gent. The initiative came from the design department of VIZO, the Flemish Institute for Independent Entrepreneurship, and was supported by graphic designers as well as printing and packaging companies

Frida (Craet) Burssens (1930-2020) was a decorator and designer from Ghent. She studied applied arts at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent, where she later regularly participated as a jury member. Her posters, for various exhibitions like one for the National Competition of Billposters or for the 150 Years of American Art, are a wonderful take on graphic design in the sixties.

Hélène Van Coppenolle (1905-1985) was active in Belgium as an illustrator, graphic designer and teacher. She participated in several exhibitions in Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels, presenting her graphic and illustrative works.

The following text was presented during “La Lune Menteuse”, a one-day event organised by Bingo at the cabin of Pleasure Island, in collaboration with Haring Books. During this event, we invited editors and graphic designers to uncover their perspectives on three independent magazines. Anton Pereira Rodriguez introduced the day with Jan Vercruysse’s project for a …