Saul Bass

An American graphic designer and filmmaker known for identities, posters, and title sequences that reduced stories to unforgettable symbols.

Bass transformed film titles from a list of credits into the opening act of the story. His identities showed that a rough, expressive form could remain clear and durable.

• ■Cut-paper silhouettes
• ■Uneven hand-drawn forms
• ■Symbolic reduction
• ■Kinetic type and image

• ■Vertigo title sequence and poster
• ■The Man with the Golden Arm
• ■Anatomy of a Murder
• ■AT&T bell and globe marks
• ■United Airlines tulip

• ■Find the single image that contains the whole idea.
• ■Motion should prepare the audience emotionally, not merely decorate credits.
• ■A mark can feel human without losing authority.

Bass created the visual grammar of modern title design and influenced generations of identity, motion, and poster designers.

1. 01What part of the story has been compressed into one sign?
2. 02How does imperfect geometry create tension?
3. 03How does timing change the meaning of a static shape?