Saul bass style title sequence book

Saul bass made the title sequence into a film star the new. Psycho 1960 was the last title sequence bass produced for a hitchcock film. 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. 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. 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. Film title sequence symbolize and summarize saul bass medium. A life in film and design the staggeringly beautiful title sequence for casino was the last one made by saul and elaine. Interview with simon clowes, designer of the xmen first class title sequence. Saul bass made the title sequence into a film star the new york. Bass studied at the art students league in new york and. How has the work of saul bass influenced contemporary. Apr 03, 2014 some of the most remarkable opening titles designed by saul bass, sometimes in collaboration with his wife elaine bass. At this time saul bass, the pioneer of film title sequence, appeared in the film industry.

Transcript from the film bass on titles, directed by saul bass, 1977. A good example of her writing style and research capabilities is this fantastic 9pages long. A good example of her writing style and research capabilities is this fantastic 9pageslong. Where motion picture advertising was once an unrefined and artless trade, bass endowed the craft with the sophistication of a bonafide art form. 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. 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 invented the modern title sequence with otto premingers the man with the golden arm 1955. 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. The book was compiled by bass s daughter jennifer bass and design historian pat kirkham, and even comes with a forward by. Around the world in eighty days 1956 bass epic, the title sequence for oscarwinner around the world in eighty days was the longest and.

Graphic designer and oscarwinning director saul bass worked with some of the most creative filmmakers in. During the title sequence the symbol bass created for the movie comes to life. 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. Catch me if you can is one of the most well known saul bass inspired title sequences. The art of the title sequence the influence of saul bass on. Saul bass was born in america in year 1920 and he died in. At the time he started working on a book about his own life and career. 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. Saul bass powerful title sequence for the man with the golden arm changed the way directors and designers would treat the opening titles. 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. 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. 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. The title sequence for alfred hitchcocks north by northwest is generally cited as the first to. 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.

Apr 25, 2012 10 of saul bass greatest title sequences. Saul bass was the master of the title sequence, working on such. Inspired by the above quote of saul bass, a dominant figure and. Design tips from the legendary saul bass rocketstock. Mention movie titles to any designer in the know, and undoubtedly the name saul bass will come up. A life in film and design, by his daughter jennifer bass and the design historian pat. 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. Among his most famous works are the title sequences. Saul bass designed three title sequences for alfred hitchcock. Saul bass sadly passed away in 1996, but left an inspiring collection of work. The titles featured an animated, black paper cutout arm of a heroin addict. Screenwriter nicholas pileggi described it as simply brilliant, adding.

To celebrate the release of the longawaited book saul bass. For maurice binder, designing the title sequence of the first james bond movie from the highly popular series of spy books by ian fleming had to be a tall order. 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. For scorsese, elaine and saul bass created title sequences for goodfellas, his remake of cape fear, the age of innocence, and casino. Nov 07, 2017 digital media creative problem solving. As design historian pat kirkham shows in his forthcoming book on bass. Posters, lobby cards, album covers and the title sequence. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for casino, from her authoritative book saul bass. Saul bass was a prominent american graphic designer of the twentiethcentury. Saul basss designs made america fall in love with alfred.

Book of the year for graphic designers is a tough thing to live up to. In 1977, bass sat down with herbert yager to discuss his process and the theories behind his signature contribution to film. 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. 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. Oct 20, 20 saul bass was a world renowned and respected graphic designer. Saul bass was the master of the title sequence, working on such films as anatomy of a murder, north by northwest and goodfellas.

From the man with the golden arm 1955 to casino 1995, this video. Designed by saul bass s daughter jennifer and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham, who knew saul bass, this book contains more than 1,400 illustrations, many from the bass archive and never published before, providing an indepth account of. Saul bass the contributions of american designer saul bass 19201996 initiated a revolution in the film advertising industry. Henris walk to paris, illustrated and designed by bass and written by leonore klein was forgotten for decades.

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. Saul worked sidebyside with his wife elaine bass for much of his career. It looks as if he had taken the storyboard for a film title sequence and enlarged it. In 1954, preminger again defied production code guidelines when adapting nelson algrens powerful novel about drug addiction, a. 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 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.

Michelle dougherty considers it one of her top iconic picks. 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. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for the man with the golden arm, from her authoritative book saul bass. Oct 21, 2015 saul bass on his approach to designing movie title sequences. His bestknown works include a series of unforgettable posters and title sequences for films such as alfred. 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. The titles are inspired by the lights in las vegas, appropriate given the films setting. In the contemporary media landscape the opening title sequence continues to. Bass own explanation, as appears in the book saul bass.

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. 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. 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. Bass animates the lights perfectly to the music, making it all the more effective. Saul bass frames from title sequence for vertigo 1958 sixteen years ago today, legendary movie title sequence designer saul bass passed away. Saul bass was a great 20thcentury american graphic designer, who created the corporate image and memorably stunning logos for numerous american companies. 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. 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. His strong passion for drawing was evident from his early childhood. Saul bass on his approach to designing movie title sequences. 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.

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. The most iconic title sequences of all time and why they work. 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. His style was modern, flat design as opposed to older illustrative styles and more modern 3d looking designs. The poster is basss trademark graphic style, with its handlettered. Im planning on making one each week up to the release of the inception dvd on december 7. 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. Saul bass title sequences the movie title stills collection.

However, the main credit bass received on the film was as pictorial consultant, an ambiguous credit that requires some explanation. Chapter 38 saul bass, and the art of film title sequence. Saul bass title sequences for alfred hitchcock on vimeo. Every design saul bass created for the movie the man with the golden arm 1955 including. Nicholas pileggi said of saul and elaine bass, you write a book of. Saul bass website and hitchcock font are back typographica. 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. 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 might be the single most accomplished graphic designer in history. 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. Nov 09, 2011 jennifer bass is a graphic designer and artist. 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. Nicholas pileggi said of saul and elaine bass, you write a book of 300. Saul bass made the title sequence into a film star the.

Design legend saul bass would have been 95 today chronicle. Saul bass was an american graphic designer and oscarwinning. For the hypnotic title sequence of hitchcocks vertigo, saul collaborated with another moving picture pioneer, john whitney, sr. He largely designed motion picture title sequences, corporate logos and movie posters. Nov 07, 2011 the man who made the title sequence into a film star. He was a pioneer of the modern title sequence designing. He enjoyed four decades of successful career in his lifetime, winning academy award for his exquisite graphic designing. May 08, 2015 my favorite saul bass title sequence is oceans eleven 1960. What is the first in what will hopefully be a series of mock movie posters for inception, done in the style of saul bass. Jun 12, 2012 saul bass might be the single most accomplished graphic designer in history. The twisted arm, which evokes the rituals of heroin injection, is both cartoonish and shockingly realistic, and the grotesque combination complements premingers lurid style. Bass decided to create a controversial title sequence.

He chose the arm as the central image, as the arm is a strong image relating to drug addiction. The website was lost when dawes did what many of us do. Brooks and martin scorsese, who urged the basses to return to main title design. 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. The most fun part of the sequence is the use of a slot machine to announce the crew. 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 style in creating a title sequence was focused on making it more than the pop corn time that it was during his era.

The man who made the title sequence into a film star. The collection is in the process of being catalogued with only a portion currently on view. For scorsese, elaine and saul bass created title sequences for. Bass is known mostly for his filmmaking, poster design and corporate logos.

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. Phil meggs, alex white, steven heller, all worthy authors in the design community. 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. Saul bass was born in new york city in 1920 and is a widely acclaimed graphic designer with a career spanning over 40 years. Toward the end of his career, saul bass was rediscovered by james l. Mar 16, 2016 film posters and title sequences in the classic saul bass style. A history of the comic strips and the underground comix. 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. In the early 60s there was an international or swiss style of. 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. Saul bass graphic design saul bass, saul bass posters, saul. How has the work of saul bass influenced contemporary motion.