THE ART OF GRAPHIC DESIGN AND FILM MAKING

SAUL BASSAND HISCONTRIBUTION TO FILM

Saul Bass

(1920­1996) was a

graphic designer

and film­maker

whom became

most famous for

his work in film

and classic logo

design. 

BOLD

STAND OUT

COLOURS

MINIMALISTIC

Bass's designs are simplistic.The use of geometric shapes

and their symbolising is presentthroughout his work.

SAUL BASS STUDIED DESIGN AT THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE INMANHATTAN. AFTER APPRENTICESHIPS WITH MANHATTAN

DESIGN FIRMS, BASS WORKED AS A FREELANCE GRAPHICDESIGNER.

IN 1952 HE MOVED TO LOS ANGELES AND OPENED HIS OWN STUDIO,NAMED SAUL BASS AND ASSOCIATES. HE GOT HIS BIG BREAK

WHEN FILM DIRECTOR OTTO PREMINGER INVITED HIM TO DESIGNTHE POSTER FOR HIS 1954 MOVIE, CARMEN JONES.

PREMINGER, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER TALENTED DIRECTOR’SWERE SO IMPRESSED BY THE RESULT, THAT BASS WASCOMMISSIONED TO DESIGN A MULTITUDE OF PROJECTS.

OVER THE NEXT DECADE HE HONED HIS SKILL BY CREATING MANYPOSTERS AND LOGO’S FOR FILM. BASS BECAME FAMOUS FOR HIS

UNIQUE STYLE THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER.

Bass’s posters have anuncanny ability to

capture the mood of afilm by using simple

shapes and images. Thiswas much preferred from

him instead of usingphotographs of the

protagonists. The shapesand fonts were often handdrawn by Bass to create a

casual appearance.

BY MAKING COLLABORATIONS 

WITH GREAT DIRECTORS LIKE

ALFRED HITCHCOCK, STANLEY KU

BRICK, MARTIN SCORSESE, ETC,.

 APART FROM DESIGNING FILM

POSTERS, BASS WOULD GO ON TO

ALSO ANIMATING

 AND DIRECTING OPENING TITLE

CREDIT SEQUENCES TO OVER

SIXTY MOTION PICTURES.

    In addition to his work for

Hollywood,

Saul Bass has created the

corporate image of numerous

companies. Bass has had a large

involvement in Airline logos over his

lifetime.  

 Between 1991 and 1996 Saul

Bass also designed the posters for

the Oscar Awards ceremony.

Leaving behind a flourishing

design empire and a

heritage which will

continues to inspire creative

designers and film­makers,

Bass died in 1996, in Los

Angelese.