When does the special tour Otl Aicher, Visual Appearances take place?

The tour takes place on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM at HfG Archive Ulm.

What is the cost of participation?

Participation costs 3 euros plus admission. The regular museum admission is 5 euros, so adults pay a total of 8 euros.

Where is the event taking place?

The location is HfG Archive Ulm, Am Hochsträß 8, 89081 Ulm.

What topics does the tour cover?

The tour showcases selected archive materials and designs by Otl Aicher that were created after 1972 in Rotis for industrial companies and public institutions.

Is the HfG Archive accessible for people with disabilities?

HfG Archive Ulm is designated as wheelchair accessible.

What are the regular opening hours for HfG Archive Ulm?

HfG Archive is open from Tuesday to Sunday and on holidays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Otl Aicher, Visual Appearances

Name: Otl Aicher, Visual Appearances
Start: 2026-11-13T15:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-13T23:59:00+01:00
Location: HfG-Archiv Ulm

Otl Aicher, Visual Appearances: Insights into the Visual Order of the Federal Republic

On November 13, 2026, the HfG Archive Ulm invites you to a special tour Otl Aicher, Visual Appearances. In the format Open Box, selected archive materials will be opened, and designs that document Otl Aicher's influential work for industrial companies and public institutions will be made visible.

Design History from the Archive

Otl Aicher is regarded as one of the most significant German graphic designers of the 20th century. As a co-founder and lecturer at the Ulm School of Design, he shaped a factual, systematic, and at the same time human-oriented concept of visual communication. His works for Deutsche Lufthansa, Braun, and the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich are among the most internationally effective examples of modern applied graphics.

The Design Practice of Rotis

The tour focuses on designs created after 1972 in Aicher's private office in Rotis in the Allgäu region. The selection conveys the diversity of his clients and shows how distinctive visual appearances arise from symbols, typography, colors, and clear design grids. The examination of the works makes it clear how corporate design goes beyond individual logos and shapes identity in public spaces.

Aesthetic Experience and Cultural Education

In the original materials, sketches, construction drawings, posters, photographs, and archived documentation come together. The concentrated exhibition atmosphere of the HfG Archive offers an immediate aesthetic experience: reduction is not experienced as renunciation but as a precise design force. At the same time, the curation conveys how closely design history, post-war culture, and social modernization are interconnected.

A Format for Curious Visitors

The format Open Box complements the special exhibition From Logo to Identity: Visual Appearances of the Federal Republic. Through direct access to collection holdings, visitors gain insights into working processes, clients, and design decisions behind well-known symbols and brand appearances.

Conclusion

The special tour combines art-historical expertise, archival work, and vibrant examination of works. Those who want to understand how Otl Aicher shaped German design history with visual clarity will experience a concentrated and inspiring art experience at the HfG Archive Ulm. The visit is especially recommended for anyone interested in graphic design, typography, corporate design, and the history of HfG Ulm.