The book was compiled by bass s daughter jennifer bass and design historian pat kirkham, and even comes with a forward by. Saul bass 1920 1996 was an american graphic designer and movie title sequence designer whose innovative approach virtually transformed the entire genre in the 1950s. Jun 04, 2018 nos explosive style with the gunshot and the strong music influenced saul bass in return while he was designing the title sequence for charade which came out the following year. Where motion picture advertising was once an unrefined and artless trade, bass endowed the craft with the sophistication of a bonafide art form. Saul bass title sequences the movie title stills collection. Saul bass on his approach to designing movie title sequences. London while he was browsing in the bargain bin of a book store on third avenue in manhattan, the young graphic designer saul bass was struck by the spiraling images in a book about the 19thcentury french mathematician julesantoine lissajous. Saul basss designs made america fall in love with alfred. A life in film and design in 1954, preminger again defied production code guidelines when adapting nelson algrens powerful novel about drug addiction, a taboo topic in midcentury america. Weve had at least a few of the greats honor the pages of dtg design bookshelf seymour chwast, milton glaser, andy warhol, david lance goines and now i take great pleasure in adding another of the alltime greats, saul bass. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for the man with the golden arm, from her authoritative book saul bass. Saul bass powerful title sequence for the man with the golden arm changed the way directors and designers would treat the opening titles. Among his most famous works are the title sequences for such classic films as the man with the golden arm 1955, north by northwest 1959, and psycho 1960.
Saul bass designed three title sequences for alfred hitchcock. Saul bass was a great 20thcentury american graphic designer, who created the corporate image and memorably stunning logos for numerous american companies. Bass decided to create a controversial title sequence. For scorsese, elaine and saul bass created title sequences for goodfellas, his remake of cape fear, the age of innocence, and casino. Saul bass made the title sequence into a film star the new york. Nov 07, 2017 digital media creative problem solving. This online archive was created to feature the many posters designed by saul bass 19201996 throughout his sixty year career, with examples drawn from his private collection. The art of the title sequence the influence of saul bass on. Saul bass made the title sequence into a film star the. Design tips from the legendary saul bass rocketstock.
Saul bass was a prominent american graphic designer of the twentiethcentury. The titles are inspired by the lights in las vegas, appropriate given the films setting. Consisting largely of moving white rectangles on a black background set to a jazzy score, the piece feels like a blue note record cover come to life perfect for a gritty tale about heroin addiction. Burn after reading 2008 a film by ethan and joel cohen mad men title sequence a tv. If i do my job well, the identity program will also clean up the image of the company, position it as being contemporary and keep it from ever looking dated. Saul bass frames from title sequence for vertigo 1958 sixteen years ago today, legendary movie title sequence designer saul bass passed away. Saul bass may 8, 1920 april 25, 1996 was a graphic designer and filmmaker, perhaps best known for his design of film posters and title sequences. Mention movie titles to any designer in the know, and undoubtedly the name saul bass will come up. Phil meggs, alex white, steven heller, all worthy authors in the design community. Catch me if you can is one of the most well known saul bass inspired title sequences. His work was public and prolific, spanning the worlds of advertising and film, and transforming film titles from a functional necessity to a form of creative expression. His strong passion for drawing was evident from his early childhood. Saul bass website and hitchcock font are back typographica. A life in film and design the staggeringly beautiful title sequence for casino was the last one made by saul and elaine.
May 08, 2015 my favorite saul bass title sequence is oceans eleven 1960. In the contemporary media landscape the opening title sequence continues to. Screenwriter nicholas pileggi described it as simply brilliant, adding. Brooks and martin scorsese, who urged the basses to return to main title design. The poster was so impressive, preminger asked saul bass to create the opening title sequence as well, thus beginning the designers career in motion graphics.
Bass own explanation, as appears in the book saul bass. As cinemas title sequences grew longer and more elaborate, the involvement of graphic design luminaries such as saul bass and maurice binder became more common. Graphic designer and oscarwinning director saul bass worked with some of the most creative filmmakers in hollywood to set the tone for their work through his unique title sequences. Saul bass title sequences for alfred hitchcock on vimeo. Saul bass was the master of the title sequence, working on such films as anatomy of a murder, north by northwest and goodfellas. Oct 20, 20 saul bass was a world renowned and respected graphic designer. Around the world in eighty days 1956 bass epic, the title sequence for oscarwinner around the world in eighty days was the longest and. Bass studied at the art students league in new york and.
Expanding on that thought, its possible that most opening sequences which start suddenly with a hard cut to a loud sound or riffing music now are a part of the. Im planning on making one each week up to the release of the inception dvd on december 7. Apr 03, 2014 some of the most remarkable opening titles designed by saul bass, sometimes in collaboration with his wife elaine bass. One of cinemas great craftsmen, saul bass is a name you may not recognize, but you no doubt know his work particularly his striking, minimalist title sequences. A life in film and design, by his daughter jennifer bass and the design historian pat. His bestknown works include a series of unforgettable posters and title sequences for films such as alfred. Saul bass sadly passed away in 1996, but left an inspiring collection of work.
What is the first in what will hopefully be a series of mock movie posters for inception, done in the style of saul bass. He was a pioneer of the modern title sequence designing. The twisted arm, which evokes the rituals of heroin injection, is both cartoonish and shockingly realistic, and the grotesque combination complements premingers lurid style. Vertigo 1958 starring james stewart, kim novak, barbara bel geddes north by northwest 1959 starring cary grant, eva marie saint, james mason psycho 1960 starring anthony perkins, janet leigh, vera miles.
Saul bass might be the single most accomplished graphic designer in history. He enjoyed four decades of successful career in his lifetime, winning academy award for his exquisite graphic designing. Nov 09, 2011 jennifer bass is a graphic designer and artist. For the hypnotic title sequence of hitchcocks vertigo, saul collaborated with another moving picture pioneer, john whitney, sr. Saul bass was born in america in year 1920 and he died in. This superbly designed book, with its 1,480 illustrations, is a work of filial piety on the part of their daughter jennifer bass. Saul bass graphic design saul bass, saul bass posters, saul. Above you can watch a long compilation of saul bass titles, starting with man with the golden arm and ending with martin scorseses casino 1995. He chose the arm as the central image, as the arm is a strong image relating to drug addiction. And im so happy to see that sandy dvore, a seminal graphic artist and entertainment portraitist who captured hollywood in the 70s and who is still producing art every day finally gets some recognition. Psycho 1960 was the last title sequence bass produced for a hitchcock film. In the early 60s there was an international or swiss style of. Saul bass style in creating a title sequence was focused on making it more than the pop corn time that it was during his era.
How has the work of saul bass influenced contemporary motion. Saul bass deepend design limited, 19992010 saul bass 19201996 was not only one of the great graphic designers of the mid20th century but the undisputed master of film title design thanks to his collaborations with alfred hitchcock, otto preminger and martin scorsese. Before saul bass, titles consisted entirely of glass plates and basically no graphic elements, like shooting a book cover with different names over it. May 8, 1920 april 25, 1996 was an american graphic designer and oscarwinning filmmaker, best known for his design of motionpicture title sequences, film posters, and corporate logos. Born in new york city in 1920, saul bass was known as one of the best graphic designers for film, as he has created the credits and title sequences of over 60 films. At this time saul bass, the pioneer of film title sequence, appeared in the film industry. The man who made the title sequence into a film star. Design legend saul bass would have been 95 today chronicle.
For scorsese, elaine and saul bass created title sequences for. Saul bass was, first and foremost a pioneering 1950s hollywood designer, the founder of conceptual cover design, who created the motion picture title sequences and posters for a great many. Toward the end of his career, saul bass was rediscovered by james l. Saul bass the contributions of american designer saul bass 19201996 initiated a revolution in the film advertising industry. Film title sequence symbolize and summarize saul bass medium. The title sequence for alfred hitchcocks north by northwest is generally cited as the first to. May 08, 20 saul bass was the master of the title sequence, working on such films as anatomy of a murder, north by northwest and goodfellas. Nicholas pileggi said of saul and elaine bass, you write a book of. However, the main credit bass received on the film was as pictorial consultant, an ambiguous credit that requires some explanation. Henris walk to paris, illustrated and designed by bass and written by leonore klein was forgotten for decades. During the title sequence the symbol bass created for the movie comes to life. The collection is in the process of being catalogued with only a portion currently on view. Designed by jennifer bass, saul bass s daughter and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham who knew saul bass personally, this book is full of images from the bass archive, providing an in depth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th century. Saul bass invented the modern title sequence with otto premingers the man with the golden arm 1955.
The website was lost when dawes did what many of us do. Posters, lobby cards, album covers and the title sequence. Bass is known mostly for his filmmaking, poster design and corporate logos. Saul bass he became famous for hollywood film title sequences in the 50s, causing a sensation in the man with the golden arm, a story about a jazz musician addicted to heroin. Working in the mid 20th century, when the importance of graphic design was just on the upswing, bass branded a staggering array of major corporations with his iconic, minimal designs. The poster is basss trademark graphic style, with its handlettered. Saul bass had a very unique style to his work although it looks very basic it has in spired many designers to fol low in bass footsteps and create designs bass work and inspiration is evident in many contemporary film posters. Jun 12, 2012 saul bass might be the single most accomplished graphic designer in history. The influence of his minimalist style is still seen in many movie posters to this day, and the title sequences of many films and television series, such as the modern hit mad men, are often quoted as homages to the ground breaking work of saul bass. Oct 21, 2015 saul bass on his approach to designing movie title sequences. Dec 09, 20 the influence of his minimalist style is still seen in many movie posters to this day, and the title sequences of many films and television series, such as the modern hit mad men, are often quoted as homages to the ground breaking work of saul bass. Chapter 38 saul bass, and the art of film title sequence. Graphic designer and oscarwinning director saul bass worked with some of the most creative filmmakers in hollywood to set the tone for their work through his unique title sequences for films ranging from psycho to goodfellas. Among his most famous works are the title sequences.
The most iconic title sequences of all time and why they work. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for casino, from her authoritative book saul bass. My initial thoughts about what a title can do was to set mood and the prime underlying core of the films story, to express the story in some metaphorical way. In 1954, preminger again defied production code guidelines when adapting nelson algrens powerful novel about drug addiction, a. Interview with simon clowes, designer of the xmen first class title sequence. From the man with the golden arm 1955 to casino 1995, this video. Nov 07, 2011 the man who made the title sequence into a film star. Apr 25, 2012 10 of saul bass greatest title sequences. Michelle dougherty considers it one of her top iconic picks. How has the work of saul bass influenced contemporary.
A new book on graphic designer saul bass from laurence king, examining his film posters, title sequences, packaging design and branding saul bass, graphic design, graphic designer, film posters, vertigo, martin scorcese, title sequences. As design historian pat kirkham shows in his forthcoming book on bass. Every design saul bass created for the movie the man with the golden arm 1955 including. It looks as if he had taken the storyboard for a film title sequence and enlarged it. Saul bass was an american graphic designer and oscarwinning. The most fun part of the sequence is the use of a slot machine to announce the crew.
Saul worked sidebyside with his wife elaine bass for much of his career. Mar 16, 2016 film posters and title sequences in the classic saul bass style. He largely designed motion picture title sequences, corporate logos and movie posters. Inspired by the above quote of saul bass, a dominant figure and. A new hefty, lushly illustrated book is the first to look at bass s prolific career in graphic design, his pioneering impact on film title sequences, and his own films and philosophies of. Saul bass made the title sequence into a film star the new.
That same year, saul bass designed the title sequence for premingers the man with the golden arm and from there, saul s work became a sensation, dubbing him the leading title and poster designer in hollywood. See more ideas about saul bass, film posters and saul bass posters. His style was modern, flat design as opposed to older illustrative styles and more modern 3d looking designs. He wanted the title sequence to become a prelude to the films story, something that will make it more engaging and help spark some curiosity to the moviegoers. Binder turned to a variation on saul bass graphic line style as established in 1955s the man with the golden arm, but used dots for the barrel of the gun and bullet holes, instead of lines.
At the time he started working on a book about his own life and career. A history of the comic strips and the underground comix. Bass animates the lights perfectly to the music, making it all the more effective. A good example of her writing style and research capabilities is this fantastic 9pageslong.
Along the way, the montage illustrates the evolution of style over the course of those 40 years, showing how titles grew in ambition and sophistication. When it came out in 1963, its a mad mad mad mad world had the first completely animated title sequence for a live action film. Written by stephen coles on september 4, 2007 for a long time brendan dawes was probably the most popular online destination for devotees of the great designer and film title director, saul bass. Saul bass was the master of the title sequence, working on such. Saul bass was born in new york city in 1920 and is a widely acclaimed graphic designer with a career spanning over 40 years. Graphic designer and oscarwinning director saul bass worked with some of the most creative filmmakers in. To celebrate the release of the longawaited book saul bass. Transcript from the film bass on titles, directed by saul bass, 1977. Book of the year for graphic designers is a tough thing to live up to. A good example of her writing style and research capabilities is this fantastic 9pages long.
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