Discover the history, principles, and characteristics of Brutalism and Neo brutalism in design. Learn how to create stunning designs using these styles and understand their impact on modern architecture and digital design.
What is Brutalism?
To learn brutalism and neo brutalism in design we must understand its beginnings in architecture. The Brutalist architectural movement originated in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. It is characterised by its rough, unpolished, and raw appearance. Brutalist architecture often features large concrete structures with exposed surfaces and minimal decoration. The style was popularised by architects such as Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn. They favoured the use of concrete, glass and metal as a building material. In graphic design, this translates to the use of large blocks of colour and typography. These buildings often had minimal decoration or embellishment. Just like a brutalist building looks unfinished, brutalist design should look like a draft.
What is the meaning of Brutalism and Neo brutalism design styles?
Both Brutalist and Neo brutalist or Neu brutalist graphic design styles are often associated with social and political movements. Also, it is associated with counterculture and subversive art. These styles are often used to convey a sense of rebellion or non-conformity. Brutalism also highlights a desire to break free from traditional design conventions. These styles draw inspiration from the Brutalist architectural movement of the mid-20th century. Brutalism and Neo brutalism is often associated with counterculture and rebellion.
Brutalism Vs Neo Brutalism in Graphic Design
The Brutalist design style is characterised by its use of bold and blocky typography, minimalistic layouts, and stark black and white imagery.
Neo brutalism graphic design takes a more modern approach to the style. This is done by incorporating softer and more organic elements and colours. This can include the use of natural textures and patterns. Also, well as the incorporation of softer, rounded shapes into the design.
What are the Colour Palettes or Colour Schemes in Brutalism Graphic Design?
In Brutalist Architecture, Buildings were left unpainted and looked grey from the concrete and building material that was used. Similarly, in Brutalist graphic design, there is the use of a lot of grey undertones, black and white. To make the images and elements pop, there will be an image or elements that are neon green, hot pink, electric blue etc.
What are the Design Elements in Brutalism Graphic Design?
Design elements generally include images that are specific to the brand or the subject of the design. However, the images or elements will usually be edited in a way that is desaturated. To embellish this, it may have a squiggly line or spray paint stroke in a bright neon colour. Sometimes, a photograph will have a gradient filter of 2 shocking colours like hot pink and electric blue.
The elements are usually rough and raw like scribbled lines, a spray paint stroke, asterisks, stars and flower icons. The design elements in brutalist graphic design tend to be more nostalgic and less modern.
What are the Font Styles in Brutalism Graphic Design?
Essentially the fonts you use in your Word document like Arial, Helvetica, and Times New Roman are what you would use in your Brutalist Design poster. Brutalist architecture had unpainted buildings or “draft versions” of complete buildings. Similarly, brutalist graphic design has fonts that you would use in a draft and not in a final design.
The basic fonts, however, are made to look decorative by increasing the size or placing the letters in a stylised manner. These styles are characterised by their use of bold and blocky typography, minimalistic layouts, and stark black and white imagery.
What art the Backgrounds and Textures in Brutalist Graphic Design?
Brutalism tends to use desaturated elements and images with a slight grunge texture to them. Sometimes, even the use of noise goes well with brutalist designs. Backgrounds tend to be plain with less or no texture.
What is the Layout Style in Brutalist Graphic Design?
Layout in Brutalist designs tends to be maverick. Just like brutalist architecture buildings had unique shapes, sharp angles and a futuristic look, this is seen in the graphic design style as well.
The placement of images and words in brutalist posters tends to have no uniform structure. The type size is increased and the word no longer fits in a conventional space. When this is done, even single words will have an odd continuity. Brutalist layout in graphic design tends to have no regard for standard sizing and editorial layout.
What is the Creative Industry Application of Brutalism Design?
The design sectors that have openly accepted and loved brutalism design are UI, Graphic Design, Branding, Advertisement and even Fashion Design to some extent. The brutalist design style has a funky and bold feel. Because of this, brands that cater to young audiences love using it in their products and advertisements.
By understanding the principles and characteristics of Brutalism and Neo brutalism, you can create stunning designs. Create projects in the Brutalism and Neo brutalism design movements and explore the impact of these design styles on modern architecture and digital design.
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