Jonas Deuter

Jonas Deuter, Karl Gerstner: Der Traum vom Absoluten, Verlag Kettler. Release: 09/2025

Karl Gerstner: The dream of the Absolute

Design

Karl Gerstner (1930–2017) is considered one of the most outstanding Swiss graphic designers. His agency rapidly became the largest advertising agency in Switzerland, earning international renown. After stepping back from operational work, Gerstner continued to take on high-profile projects, but focused chiefly on his independent artistic creations. Gerstner’s works are characterized by an attempt to root the design process in methodical approaches based on objective and rational criteria. By this process, he developed a series of design solutions that showcase rigor and clarity.

In his book, Jonas Deuter presents the first comprehensive academic study of the legacy of Karl Gerstner as both a graphic designer and artist. Deuter situates the work within its historical context and analyzes Gerstner’s design methodology through the terms “structure” and “program,” which he himself coined. The analysis reveals to what degree the developed “programs” actually lead to the intended design and artistic solutions, and where they reach their limits. The study uncovers discontinuities and contradictions between Gerstner’s work and his autobiographical representation. This opens up a new, critically nuanced perspective on the remarkable graphic and artistic oeuvre of Karl Gerstner.

www.jonasdeuter.de

Supervisors

Prof. em. Dr. Klaus Klemp

Jonas Deuter
Karl Gerstner: Der Traum vom Absoluten
Verlag Kettler
ISBN 978-3-98741-178-6
35.00 EUR

Estate Karl Gerstner

Schweizerische Nationalbibliothek, Graphische Sammlung: Archiv Karl Gerstner. Photo: Ben Kuhlmann
Ad for Geigy, 1953

„Euraxil“. Proof, 3 colored print, 21,1 x 27,5 cm

© Estate Karl Gerstner, Basel. Schweizerische Nationalbibliothek, Graphische Sammlung: Archiv Karl Gerstner
GGK, draft for a presentation for Shell, 1964

Glyphs of the rounded version of a Shell typeface, based in the Gerstner Programm

© Estate Karl Gerstner, Basel. Schweizerische Nationalbibliothek, Graphische Sammlung: Archiv Karl Gerstner
Presentations for Swissair, 1978

Files in Slipcases, 22 x 33 x 5 cm each

© Estate Karl Gerstner, Basel. Schweizerische Nationalbibliothek, Graphische Sammlung: Archiv Karl Gerstner. Photo: Ben Kuhlmann
Gerstner + Kutter, ad for Basler Druck und Verlag, 1959

Proof, 23,5 x 29,9 cm

© Estate Karl Gerstner, Basel. Schweizerische Nationalbibliothek, Graphische Sammlung: Archiv Karl Gerstner
Index with colour samples

One of four wooden Cases

© Estate Karl Gerstner, Basel. Schweizerische Nationalbibliothek, Graphische Sammlung: Archiv Karl Gerstner. Photo: Ben Kuhlmann
AlgoRhythmus 3, 1973

Printed cardboards in a folder, 31 x 31 cm, advertisement for Hofmann-La Roche AG, print run: 50.000

© Estate Karl Gerstner, Basel