Franz Hermann Wills

Biography

Trademarks, lettering, posters, bookjackets, writer (esp. on packaging). Born 16 February 1903 in Solingen. Studied at the Stuttgart Württemberg Kunstgewerbeschule (later: Stuttgart Staatliche Akademie der bildenden Künste): a teacher was F.H. Ernst Schneidler. 1919-22: studied at the Technische Lehranstalt, Offenbach a.M; took classes with Rudolf Koch. 1924-30: designer for printer specialising in packaging. 1928-30: taught at the Kunstgewerbe- und Handwerkerschule, Wuppertal. 1930-44: worked as a picture editor (Bildredakteur), partly or for the entire time for a Berlin newspaper publishing company. c1945: possibly a prisoner-of-war (see his poetry, 1946). 1945-50: production manager for a publisher. From 1950: lecturer in advertising and packaging design at the Staatliche Lehrinstitut für Graphik, Druck und Werbung, Berlin. 1951: Chairman, Landesgruppe Gross-Berlin, BDG. From the 1950s onwards he wrote numerous technical articles on packaging and advertising and others on design and designers for trade journals such as Der Polygraph, Graphik, Graphis, Gebrauchsgraphik and novum gebrauchsgraphik. 1962-4: served on juries for packaging competitions. He was the author of several books on layout and graphic design, of which Schrift und Zeichen der Völker is outstanding. By 1965: Deputy Director of the Graphic Design Department, Meisterschule für Graphik, Druck und Werbung (Graphic Arts, Printing and Publicity) in Berlin.

Writings by

  • 1944-50: Reisebilder aus Dalmatien, Vienna: Schroll, 1944
  • Aussaat und Ernte (poems), Berlin: Erich Schmidt, 1946
  • ‘Children’s picture-books’, Gg, Feb. 1950, pp. 43-8
  • ‘Publicity campaign of the ČSA’ (Czech airline), Gg, April 1950, pp. 2-8
  • ‘E.R. Vocenauer, Berlin’, Gg, April 1950, pp. 9-16
  • ‘Propagandistic maps’, Gg, Sept. 1950, pp. 2-16
  • ‘Gerhard Kreische, Berlin’, Gg, Dec. 1950, pp. 36-43
  • ‘Poster campaign for Berlin’, Gg, Dec. 1950, pp. 44-9
  • 1951-2: ‘E. McKnight Kauffer’, Gg, Jan. 1951, pp. 2-9
  • ‘Container Corporation of America’, SGM, March 1951, pp. 107-10
  • ‘J. Flejšar, Prag’ (poster artist), Gg, April 1951, pp. 26-9
  • ‘Der Aufbau von Bildseiten in Zeitschriften’, Der Polygraph, 14 July 1951, supplement
  • ‘Berlin propagandises the poster’ (exhibition of Berlin group, BDG), Graphis 36, 1951, pp. 258-65
  • ‘Die Fischwirtschaft wirbt’, Graphik, 1951, 9, pp. 453-5
  • ‘Die Eigenwerbung der Radio- und Fernsehgesellschaften in den USA’, Graphik, 1951, 12, pp. 616-25
  • ‘Die Briefmarken als Kunstwerk’, Der Polygraph, 20 Dec. 1951, supplement
  • ‘John Atherton’, Gg, Dec. 1951, pp. 50-55
  • ‘Über Industriewerbung in den USA’, Der Polygraph, 20 Feb. 1952, supplement
  • ‘Die Schutzmarke und ihre Funktionen in der Werbung für den Markenartike’, Der Polygraph, 20 April 1952, supplement
  • ‘Lester Beall’, Graphis 40, 1952, pp. 128-35, 181-2
  • ‘Horst Piehler’, Gg, May 1952, pp. 46-51
  • ‘Dynamik und Rhythmus in Zeilenfall’, Der Polygraph, 20 Aug. 1952, supplement
  • ‘Illustrierte Musik’, Der Polygraph, 20 Nov. 1952, supplement
  • ‘Rudolf A. Hetze’, Graphik, 1952, pp. 36-8
  • ‘Berliner Woche der Werbung für die Werbung’, Graphik, 1952, pp. 310-12
  • ‘Hans Adolf Albitz und Ruth Albitz-Geiss’, Gg, Nov. 1952, pp. 2-7
  • ‘Professor Walter Bergmann, Berlin’, Gg, Nov. 1952, pp. 34-7
  • 1953-4: ‘New ways in bank publicity’ (National City Bank of New York), Gg, July 1953, pp. 10-15
  • ‘Hauszeitschriften: graphische Betriebe in Nord-Amerika’, Der Polygraph, 20 Sept. 1953, supplement
  • ‘Pharmazeutische Werbung in den USA’, Graphik, 1953, pp. 308-15
  • ‘Horn’ (Das Modehaus), Graphik, 1953, pp. 574-81
  • ‘Graphik aus Berlin/Graphik für Berlin’, Graphik, 1953, pp. 638-49 (FHW work: pp. 641, 649)
  • Paul Standard, ‘The restoration of calligraphy’, Graphis 50, 1953, pp. 428-43, 492-4
  • ‘Monsanto’, Graphik, 1954, pp. 60-64
  • ‘Geigy, ein Beispiel konsequenter Chemie-Werbung’, Graphik, 1954, pp. 308-21
  • ‘Graphische und Fotografische Darstellung im Verkehrsplakat’, Graphik, 1954, pp. 368-71
  • ‘Eine Schweizer Grossfleischerei wirbt’, Graphik, 1954, pp. 482-9
  • ‘Fritz Bühler’, Graphik, 1954, pp. 586-93
  • ‘Hubert Czermak’, Graphik, 1954, pp. 650-53
  • ‘Humor in der Werbung’, Der Polygraph, 20 Jan. 1954, supplement
  • ‘Forderungen an einen Verkehrsprospekt’, Der Polygraph, 20 Feb. 1954, supplement
  • ‘Form und Inhalt technisch-industrieller Anzeigen’, Der Polygraph, 5 April 1954, supplement
  • ‘The “Firmengesicht”. An exhibition of international graphic art…’, Gg, June 1954, pp. 52-3
  • ‘Zweckmässig werbewirksam schön’ Der Polygraph, 5 July 1954, supplement
  • 1955: ‘Freie Form – knapp doch wirksam’, Graphik, pp. 84-7
  • ‘Frischer Wind durch Fridolin’, Graphik, pp. 288-93
  • ‘Modern German chemical industry publicity’, Graphik, pp. 394, 396-415
  • ‘Pro Telephon’, Graphik, pp. 482-5
  • ‘Die Verpackung als Graphische Aufgabe’, Graphik, pp. 518-26
  • ‘BBC – ein Schwerpunkt der elektrotechnischen Industrie’ [BBC: Brown, Boveri & Cie, Mannheim], Graphik, pp. 568-71
  • ‘Apell an die Lebensfreude’, Graphik, pp. 628-39
  • ‘The day of the Open Door’ (charity), Gg, Jan., pp. 50-51
  • ‘The rising generation in Berlin’ (students of the Meisterschule für Graphik und Buchgewerbe), Gg, June, pp. 38-47
  • ‘Werner Bürger’ (Berlin book jacket desiner and illustrator), Gg, Aug., pp. 32-7
  • 1956: ‘Saul Bass’, Graphik, 1956, pp. 30-37
  • ‘In the service of culture at table’, Graphik, 1956, pp. 114, 116-29
  • ‘Gedanken zum Werbemittel Katalog’, Graphik, 1956, pp. 228-37
  • ‘CIBA, Das Einfache hat den grössten Merkwert’, Graphik, 1956, pp. 282-97
  • ‘Werner Klemke’, Gg, Dec. 1956, pp. 10-19
  • 1957-60: ‘Berlin’s advertising art’, AfDuP, 1957, v. 2, pp. 183-92 (FHW logo, p. 186)
  • ‘Hungarian graphic artists vindicate the artistic poster’, Gg, Sept. 1957, pp. 2-9
  • ‘Colored windows to Poland’ (trade journal), Gg, Oct. 1957, pp. 2-7
  • ‘Horst Breitkreuz’ (illustrator), Gg, Nov. 1957, pp. 22-7
  • Vom Layout hängt die Wirkung ab, Essen: Wirtschaft und Werbung Verlagsgesellschaft, 1957
  • ‘Erich Unger, Berlin’, Gg, Feb. 1958, pp. 34-7
  • ‘Polish book-jackets’, Gg, March 1958, pp. 2-7
  • ‘Edsor ties and scarfs’ (Marianne Schwarz), Gg, July 1958, pp. 6-11
  • ’Herrenjournal’ (covers by Hubert Czermak), Gg, Dec. 1958, pp. 40-43
  • ‘Hans Förtsch/Sigrid von Baumgarten’ (Berlin designers), Gg, Feb. 1959, pp. 12-19
  • ‘Rudolf J. Schmitt’, Gg, Aug. 1959, pp. 50-55
  • ‘Werner Klemke’, Graphis 82, 1959, pp. 128-37
  • ‘Hermann Virl’ (obituary), Graphis 83, 1959, pp. 266-9
  • ‘Hans Hillmann’, Graphis 84, 1959, pp. 344-9, 369-70
  • Das Auge kauft mit, Essen: Wirtschaft und Werbung, 1960
  • ‘New Year congratulations [cards] from Vietnam’, Gg, Jan. 1960, pp. 18-23
  • 1961-8: ‘Advertising coal’, Gg, March 1961, pp. 6-11
  • ‘Austin Briggs’, Gg, June 1961, pp. 8-15
  • ‘Nothing sells better than a good package’ (Staatliche Meisterschule für Grafik, Druck und Werbung, Berlin), Gg, Dec. 1961, pp. 40-47
  • ‘Wilfried Güntensperger’, Gg, Sept. 1962, pp. 48-53
  • ‘Almanaque’ (Portuguese covers), Gg, May 1963, pp. 12-15
  • ‘Heinz Edelmann’, Graphis 105, 1963, pp. 60-67, 83
  • ‘The younger generation of German designers’, Graphis 113, 1964, pp. 180-217
  • ‘Die Packung im Brennpunkt der Konsumgüterwerbung’, Polygraph Jahrbuch, 1965, pp. 189-97
  • ‘The package and its shaping in the service of today’s sales approach’, AfDuP, 1965/1, pp. 73-4
  • ‘Hans Jürgen Rau’, Graphis 118, 1965, pp. 110-15, 168
  • Das wirksame Layout, Düsseldorf/Vienna: Econ, 1965 (Complete introduction to fundamentals of layout [Kenneth T. Dutfield, tr.], New York: Sterling, London/Melbourne: Oak Tree Press, 1965, see also Fundamentals of layout, 1971)
  • ‘The publicity of Radio Free Berlin’, Gg, March 1966, pp. 28-35
  • ‘UNIVAC’, Gg, Dec. 1967, pp. 50-56
  • ‘Young commercial designers from Berlin’, Gg, Feb. 1968, pp. 36-43
  • ‘Leo and Diane Dillon, New York. Graphic art for popular scientific works’, Gg, March 1968, pp. 50-56
  • ‘Cartography and topography’, Gg, April 1968, pp. 20-27
  • ‘Giulio Cittato’ (Chicago designer), Gg, July 1968, pp. 26-33
  • ‘Graphicteam’ (Cologne design studio), Graphis 136, 1968, pp. 102-15, 178-80
  • Bildmarken Wortmarken, Düsseldorf: Econ, 1968
  • 1969-70: ‘Illustrationen zur Biblischen Geschichte’, Gg, April 1969, pp. 28-31
  • ‘Harry C. Suchland, ein Werbegrafiker aus Berlin’, Gg, Dec. 1969, pp. 32-9
  • ‘Trademarks and signets from Poland’, Gg, Jan. 1970, pp. 16-21
  • ‘A display of international stationery’ (Zanders), Gg, April 1970, pp. 48-56
  • ‘Neue Warenausstattungen vom amerikanischen Markt’, Gg, June 1970, pp. 28-35
  • ‘New Polish film posters’, Gg, Aug. 1970, pp. 2-9
  • ‘Esso Standard Italiana’, Gg, Aug. 1970, pp. 30-35
  • ‘Numbers and figures (photographs), Gg, Sept. 1970, pp. 18-23
  • ‘Children’s books from the DDR’, Gg, Nov. 1970, pp. 34-43
  • ‘The illustrator Eva Johanna Rubin’, Gg, Dec. 1970, pp. 42-9
  • 1971: ‘A door to wonderland’ (U.S. comic strips), novum, Jan., pp. 38-45
  • ‘MIGROS’ (signage for Swiss corp.), novum, Feb., pp. 18-25
  • ‘Posters for New York’, novum, April, pp. 14-19
  • ‘Trademarks from the GDR’, novum, April, pp. 20-25
  • ‘Rapid – comfortable – punctual’ (European railways posters), novum, May, pp. 28-35
  • ‘Bookjackets from the DDR’, novum , Aug., p. 50-55
  • ‘The best posters from the GDR in 1970’, novum, Sept., pp. 30-37
  • ‘Book jackets by Hans Uster, Zurich’, novum, Sept., pp. 52-6
  • ‘Inscriptions on old tombstones’ (photos by Ralph Gortier), novum, Oct., pp. 50-55
  • ‘N+M Baum’ (Berlin designers), novum, Nov., pp. 50-56
  • ‘Ulrich Kemmner, advertising art’, novum, Dec., pp. 46-51
  • Fundamentals of layout, New York: Dover, 1971 (unrev. edition of Complete introduction to fundamentals of layout, 1965)
  • 1972: ‘New designs by Josef Flejšar, Prague’, novum, Jan., pp. 16-23
  • ‘Charles Goslin’ (U.S. designer), novum, Jan., pp. 32-9
  • ‘Reinhart Braun, Berlin’, novum, March, pp. 6-23
  • ‘Book jackets for the Bertelsmann Book Club’, novum, March, pp. 38-43
  • ‘Polnische Plakate für den Fremdenverkehr’, novum, April, pp. 2-5
  • ‘Versicht – bissiger Hund!’, novum, April, pp. 40-45
  • ‘Product representation’ (Chicago packaging competition), novum, May, pp. 28-39
  • ‘Wayne Webb’ (Chicago designer), novum, June, pp. 30-41
  • ‘IV Internationale Plakat-Biennalle Warsaw 1972’, novum, Nov., pp. 20-29
  • ‘Printed graphics and exhibition posters by Robert Indiana, USA’, novum, Dec., pp. 2-9
  • ‘Learn while you play’ (publications of Otto Maier), novum, Dec., pp. 48-53
  • 1973: ‘New visions of reality’ (Swissair posters), novum, Jan., pp. 22-7
  • ‘Turkish theatre posters’ (by Mengü Ertel), novum, Jan., pp. 32-7
  • ‘New Polish film posters’, novum, April
  • pp. 32-9 ‘Otto Rohse, Hamburg’, novum, July, pp. 28-37
  • ‘Poland’ (journal covers), novum, Aug., pp. 2-9
  • ‘Charming presentations’ (packaging competition), novum, Sept., pp. 30-41
  • ‘Grilled, flambé, roasted and baked’ (Peter Klemke menus), novum, Oct., pp. 26-33
  • ‘News from one to zero’ (Warsaw student work: numbers), novum, Nov., pp. 44-7
  • ‘The human image and the sign’, novum, Dec., pp. 34-43
  • 1974-present: ‘Christmas and New Year’s cards from graphic designers’, Graphis 171, 1974, pp. 24-35
  • ‘Children’s books from East and West Germany’, novum Jan. 1975, pp. 10-23
  • ‘East German graphic design’, Graphis 183, 1976, pp. 70-79
  • Schrift und Zeichen der Völker, Düsseldorf/Vienna: Econ, 1977.

Writings about

  • H.K. Frenzel, ‘Franz H. Wills’, Gg, Sept. 1933, pp. 40-47
  • Gg, April 1935, pp. 60-63 (wine posters)
  • Eberhard Hölscher, ‘Advertising art in post-war Germany’, Graphis 34, 1951, pp. 58-79, esp. pp. 65, 72
  • Modern Publicity 1953-4, 1953, pp. 28, 104, 118
  • E. Hölscher, ‘The sufferings of the Berlin heraldic bear’, Gg, Feb. 1954, pp. 52-5
  • Gerda Finsterer-Stuber, Marken und Signete, Stuttgart: Julius Hoffmann, 1957
  • Fritz Genzmer, ‘Firm symbols’ (logos, based on G. Finsterer-Stuber, Marken und Signete), AfDuP, 1957, v. 3, pp. 312-15 (esp. p. 313)
  • review of Vom Layout hängt die Wirkung ab, in Der Polygraph, 20 Sept. 1957, p. 758
  • note on Vom Layout…, in Gg, Sept. 1957, p. 60
  • note on Das Auge kauft mit, in Graphis 94, 1961, p. 172
  • Wer ist Wer?, 1962
  • note on FHW’s Schrift und Zeichen der Völker, in Graphis 199, 1979, p. 467.