El Lissitzky

El Lissitzky was born in Russia in 1890. He worked in so many creative formats including photography, typography, illustration, architecture, book and poster design. He is known for his influence on the art movement of geometric-based design, Suprematism , as well as his contributions to Soviet propaganda design work (the most famous poster is considered to be "Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge").

El Lissitzky started his architectural studies in Germany (1909-1914) and due to the first World War, he had to return back to Russia. 5 years later, he was appointed by the principal of Vitebsk School of Fine Arts to teach architecture and fine arts. When it comes to Suprematism, El Lissitzky met Kasimir Malevich, the creator after this movement during the time in which he taught at the Vitebsk School of Fine Arts.

El Lissitzky's graphic design involved dynamic asymmetric layouts, white spaces was used as a positive formal element, changes in typography and changes of scale. When it comes to books' design, he worked with a number of authors and artists. These include Ilya Ehrenberg (periodical - Veshch (Object)), and Mayakovsky (poems' book - For the Voice) amongst others. His work appeared also in De Stijl magazine together with the works of other contemporary artists and designers.

Later on, El Lissitzky taught interior design and furniture design at the Vhkutemas, the Russian Bauhaus.

Such poster includes diagonal lines in the background, sans serif font with different sizes, asymmetrical layout, flat colours are also used 

Reference

Beazley, M., Aynsley, J., eds., 2004. Pioneers of Modern Graphic Design: A Complete History. London: Octopus Publishing Group Ltd.

Graphic Admin, 2009. El Lissitzky and Modernism. [online] Available at: <http://graphic.ldmblogs.com/2009/10/28/el-lissitzky-and-modernism> [Accessed January 2014].