picoso creative blog » Bass-tards: Saul Bass Inspired Work

Bass-tards: Saul Bass Inspired Work

Gabe was bored and did this

Saul Bass its a 60’s-progressive style that looks retro without giving this nostalgic feeling, meaning that it still somehow remains relevant. The paper cutout typography looks effortless, the illustration style is simple and eye catching. Saul Bass’ style is carefree and effective, simple and groundbreaking, so its no surprise that many designers try to copy his formula in hopes that their work would get the same effect. However, many fail to create a successful design and fall into the uninspired copycat bin. This is because the just seek to stylize instead of coming up with a suitable solution for the project at hand.

So, is it OK to use Bass’ style, just like you would apply let’s say an Art Deco inspired solution for your design? Well, using any kind of “style” just for style sake is never a good way to go. If executed properly any design regardless of the style can look good, but if it fails to coherently communicate something it then fails as a solution, and it will instinctively give you that ‘bleh’ feeling when you see it.

When done properly, and when the design uses Bass’ style consciously but at the same time it says something about the piece itself, then the work can be consider a tribute to Saul Bass. When the design pretentiously and ignorantly uses the style without giving a second thought if it is coherently communicates something about the piece then it can be consider a failure.

Below are a collection of pieces found that use Saul Bass’ style some successful some … meeeehhh.. not so much. Let us know what you think.

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