In the early 2000’s, Art Chantry was experiencing somewhat of a revival in popularity, partially due to the release of his recent monograph. In retrospect, the overwhelming response in awards can be seen as expected, after almost a decade of computer-generated design. His low-tech approach for album covers associated with the grunge scene was fresh again.

Nearly a Century earlier, H.N. Werkman also decidedly eschewed advances in technology and printing. While other Dutch designers were taking advantage of the precision of metal type and sophisticated new photographic techniques, Werkman took the opposite approach. Often working without a press, his hands-on approach resulted in ink blots, smudging, rough edges, and overlapping shapes – a slap in the face to commercial design, and nothing short of glorious. 

Sadly, Werkman was executed by the Nazi police for running a clandestine publishing house during WWII. Is it time for a Werkman revival in 2021?