Bob Noorda

Bob Noorda
Born15 July 1927
Died11 January 2010 (aged 82)
OccupationGraphic designer
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Bob Noorda (July 15, 1927 – January 11, 2010) was a Dutch-born Italian graphic designer who lived and worked primarily in Milan from 1954 onwards.[1] His works included design projects for major corporations and large-scale retail chains, publishing houses as well as public works such as the Milan Metro and NYC subway sign and image systems. [2] During his career as a designer, Noorda created more than 170 logos for clients like Feltrinelli, Olivetti, Eni, Zucchi, Touring Club Italiano, Ermenegildo Zegna, and many others.[3][4]

In addition to design practice, Noorda was a professor in graphic design at the Industrial Design School in Venice, Società Umanitaria in Milan, ISIA Urbino (Higher Institute for Artistic Industries in Urbino) and IED (European Institute of Design) in Milan.[5] From 1996 to 2001, he was a professor of visual communication at Politecnico di Milano.[6]

Mario Piazza notes that for Noorda, "a logo that worked was a simple sign, as easy to read as a child's picture book. It could be abstract or take the form of a monogram or pictogram, but it had to have immediacy, to be readily understood."[3] Noorda said of graphic design, "You can do graphic design anywhere, at a small desk as well as a big one. You don't need a lot of equipment, just a few pencils, and it takes your whole life".[7] The New York Times obituary of Noorda said he "helped introduce a Modernist look to advertising posters, corporate logos and, in the 1960s, the entire New York City subway system."[8]

  1. ^ Heller, Steven (January 23, 2010). "Bob Noorda Is Dead at 82; Designer Took Modernism Underground". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  2. ^ Piazza, Mario (2015). Bob Noorda Design. Milan: Moleskine. p. 11. ISBN 978-8867327645.
  3. ^ a b Piazza, Mario (2015). Bob Noorda Design. Milan: Moleskine. p. 14. ISBN 978-8867327645.
  4. ^ "Bob Noorda, graphic design tra libertà e rigore". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  5. ^ Piazza, Mario (2015). Bob Noorda Design. Milan: Moleskine. p. 13. ISBN 978-8867327645.
  6. ^ "Bob Noorda". IDEA associazione. Idea Associazione Italiana Exhibition Designers. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  7. ^ Piazza, Mario (2015). Bob Noorda Design. Milan: Moleskine. p. 399. ISBN 978-8867327645.
  8. ^ Heller, Steven (2010-01-24). "Bob Noorda Is Dead at 82; Designer Took Modernism Underground". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-15.