Henry Steiner, The Father of Hong Kong Design on his Lomo’Instant Automat New Edition

Designers should not be ashamed to demonstrate intelligence and culture in their work.
— Henry Steiner

Known as "the Father of Hong Kong Design", Austrian-born graphic designer Henry Steiner is a pioneer in his field, and his work has left an indelible mark on Hong Kong, where he has lived more than 60 years after immigrating from the United States. Throughout his illustrious career, Steiner has undertaken diverse projects, ranging from crafting banknotes to shaping brand identities for prominent corporations.

We are delighted to present our collaboration with Steiner, and introduce the latest Lomo'Instant Automat Henry Steiner edition, which proudly showcases his remarkable artwork from the iconic 2008 Hong Kong Vienna Opera Ball poster. Inspired by Gustav Klimt and Li Bai, this exclusive edition exemplifies Steiner's cross-cultural design style and beautifully captures the intersection of art and technology.

In this article, Steiner shares his journey and experiences in the field of design and branding, and the philosophy behind the Lomo'Instant Automat Henry Steiner edition. Let's immerse ourselves in the world of this visionary designer!

Hello Henry and welcome to Lomography! We are very excited to be collaborating with you. How do you feel about this collaboration?

Being Viennese, I am flattered to be invited.

Among all your work, why did you choose the Hong Kong Vienna Opera Ball poster as the inspiration for the design behind this special edition Lomo'Instant Automat?

The cities of Hong Kong and Vienna make up my cross-cultural identity. The poster also reflects my cross-cultural design style through the split imagery of the two faces. And with Lomography being Viennese-born, like me, it seemed like a natural fit.

What's the story behind the poster? Why was Li Bai's “Jian Jin Jiu” poem used?

The poem combines Li Bai and Mahler, two of my heroes. Li Bai’s poem “Jian jin jiu” inspired my favourite composer, and fellow Viennese, Mahler’s “The Song of the Earth”. The idea is “Wein, Weib und Gesang”, the German expression for having fun, which led to Li Bai and Klimt sharing the same sheet of paper.

What was your first impression of the Lomo'Instant Automat Camera?

It’s unique. We’ve not seen anything like it.

Could you share with us your journey and experiences in the field of design and branding?

I got into graphic design through Gabor Peterdi, my printmaking teacher at Hunter College. Peterdi also taught at Yale. One day he asked if I would consider enrolling to the Graphic Design program at Yale. I had never heard of Graphic Design before but I was intrigued. The program at Yale was the first of its kind, and had only been around for four years. This was 1956. At Yale I met my teacher and mentor Paul Rand whose lessons continue to inspire me till this day.

One my favourite words of wisdom from Paul Rand: “If you don’t have an idea, you don’t have a design.” Alan Fletcher, my classmate at Yale, was responsible for my being in Hong Kong. He introduced me to the people responsible for The Asia Magazine to which I was hired and sent to Hong Kong on a nine-month contract in 1961. That period has become somewhat extended.

It was a young field, Corporate Identity. The mixture of Chinese and overseas traditions was an opportunity. It was fresh. Design that was just waiting to be explored. My time in Hong Kong has been a wonderful opportunity and it still is. I was able to try things out in an area where there wasn’t a way yet of doing things.

Do you have a graphic design motto that you could share with us?

We are here to make ordinary objects extraordinary – pleasant, useful, witty, and sometimes inspiring. Using our powers of observation and working with economy and improvisation, we battle the enemies: mediocrity, cynicism, neglect. What matters is to send, through our craft, modest messages which others will receive saying: “Somebody cared about this.”

What does “cross-cultural” mean to you?

The virtues of cross-culturalism? Cross-pollination, the creation of new nuances, extended sensibilities. Invigoration of one’s own tradition by taking a holiday in another. Humility in the presence of other cultures, understanding and respect for alternative ways of approaching life. And the invaluable sense of distance in seeing – albeit briefly – the exotic as commonplace and oneself and one’s beliefs and being, after all, alien.

In your opinion, what are the key elements that make a successful and memorable logo?

This is like asking what do you think about gravity! A logo has a function. It solves the client’s problem. It should look as direct as possible. It’s function, not decoration. There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap logo.

Which of our 10 Golden Rules do you like the most?

Golden Rule #7 “Be Fast.”
Golden Rule #10 “Don’t worry about any rules.”

As a mentor and influential figure in the design industry, what advice would you give to aspiring designers who are eager to carve their own path?

Don’t go into this profession expecting instant rewards. It takes time. Broaden your interests. Don’t waste time worrying about design. Style comes naturally.

Apart from graphic design related things, what other hobbies or interests do you have?

I enjoy music (especially Mahler), and I enjoy literature (especially James Joyce).

Could you share some of your upcoming plans?

My solo exhibition at M+, “Henry Steiner: The Art of Graphic Communication” launches 15 June – please come see it!

The Lomo'Instant Automat and Lenses Henry Steiner edition is available now at our Online Shop and selected retailers.

written by nikkicheung on 2024-06-13 #culture #people Share Article