Tibor Kalman, Perverse Optimist by Peter Hall is an exploration of the life and work of the late graphic designer Tibor Kalman. Kalman was born in Hungary and moved with his family to the United States as a child. Throughout his career, Kalman was an avant-garde force in the world of graphic design. He pushed boundaries and challenged the status quo, often doing so with a sense of humor and optimism. Along with business partner Maira Kalman, he co-founded the influential design firm M & Co., which helped redefine the role of a graphic designer. His unique approach to design inspired a generation of young designers around the world.
Kalman was notorious for his provocative, often witty, style and his disregard for conventional design principles. His designs often featured playful visuals, bold colors, and clever juxtapositions, all of which were meant to make a statement. When it came to creating a design, Kalman believed in an intuitive approach and strived to create something that was innovative and unexpected. He once stated that “design is all about joy, humor, surprise and a bit of anarchy.”
Throughout his career, Kalman was constantly pushing the boundaries of design. He sought to challenge and disrupt the conventions that the design world followed, something which he achieved through the use of bold, often ironic, visuals. His most notable projects included Benetton’s “Change the World” campaign and Toscani’s controversial and influential “United Colors of Benetton” campaign. He also made a name for himself in the art world, working with the MoMA, The New Museum, and The Whitney Museum of American Art.
Kalman also launched the first international multi-media workshop, “The Kalman Fisher Workshop,” which taught design professionals around the world his unique principles. Through these workshops, Kalman’s influence spread, inspiring young designers everywhere.
Kalman’s unique approach and talent was recognized in many design awards throughout his career. He was honored with numerous awards, including The National Design Award, a AIGA (American Institute for Graphic Arts) Medal, the Cooper–Hewitt National Design Award, and the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame award.
Although Kalman passed away in 1999, his spirit lives on in the work of the many young designers he inspired. By pushing boundaries, breaking conventions, and adding a dash of his own personal brand of anarchy to the process, Tibor Kalman not only broke with longstanding design conventions, but also changed the face of modern graphic design. Peter Hall’s “Tibor Kalman, Perverse Optimist” is an insightful exploration into the life and work of this unique individual, one who continues to influence and inspire the world of graphic design.
