Covers were made for pulp magazines during the 1930s in the period of Art Deco and Constructivism. It came as a way to escape from the misery of the Great Depression by including topics about mystery, adventures and sexuality. The name "pulp" came from the low quality and cheap printed papers. It was an apportunity that provided work for thousands of artists and designers who were able to include realism and expressionism in their artwork.
One of the famous designers was the Austrian, Frank R. Paul (1884-1963). He designed covers for the 1930s first science fiction magazines, which mainly focused on adventures in the outer space. Paul started in 1926 with the Hugo Gernsback science fiction empire, designing a large number of covers for them. Using his architectural background and his imagination he successfully became one of the important designers of pulp science fiction covers. An example for his use of architectural elements was the back cover of Quartz City on Mercury from the Amazing Stories.
Other companies had also many other different themes. Culture Productions was a company owned by Harry Donenfeld (1926-1965) and Frank Armer in 1934. It displayed themes of sexual violence were it faced many oppositions and eventually was forced to close. Its stories were named Spicy Mystery.
One of the famous designers was the Austrian, Frank R. Paul (1884-1963). He designed covers for the 1930s first science fiction magazines, which mainly focused on adventures in the outer space. Paul started in 1926 with the Hugo Gernsback science fiction empire, designing a large number of covers for them. Using his architectural background and his imagination he successfully became one of the important designers of pulp science fiction covers. An example for his use of architectural elements was the back cover of Quartz City on Mercury from the Amazing Stories.
Other companies had also many other different themes. Culture Productions was a company owned by Harry Donenfeld (1926-1965) and Frank Armer in 1934. It displayed themes of sexual violence were it faced many oppositions and eventually was forced to close. Its stories were named Spicy Mystery.
Bibliography:
Eskilson, S. (2007). Graphic Design A New History. North America: Yale University Press.
Eskilson, S. (2007). Graphic Design A New History. North America: Yale University Press.
It's a good introduction. You can create a link to a good dictionary for the term pulp
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
You have found a great link to Frank R. Paul's illustrations!!! Bring some of them to your blog and conduct a stylistic analysis and. Try to combine this work with info that you got from the books!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!