Renate Boere interviews Gert Dumbar

Gert Dumbar (1940), a pioneer in the field of graphic design in the Netherlands, celebrated his eightieth birthday and looks back on his life in an online interview with designer Renate Boere.

Gert Dumbar, founder of Studio Dumbar (1977) was one of the most important Dutch graphic designers of the 80s and 90s. The Dutch visual landscape has changed forever due to his strong identity designs for the NS and the police, among others. Saying goodbye to the profession is not in the cards for Gert any time soon.

In addition to the strong identities for large companies and institutions that he developed with his studio, Dumbar initiated many social projects on issues that concerned him. For example, the streetscape has often changed for the better, partly due to the annual awarding of the Prix de P (Prix de Paardelul; prize for the worst idea in public space). For example, ugly plastic window frames in social housing are out of the question thanks to the Prix de P.

In addition, Dumbar was one of the first designers to use staged photography in his designs. His designs were expressive and humorous. Think for example of his famous posters for the former Gemeentemuseum (now Kunstmuseum) in The Hague, for which Dumbar made a papier-mâché version of ‘Mondriaan at work in his studio’. For Dumbar a tribute to Mondriaan with a wink to modernism, for others an unacceptable gesture. Dumbar’s refreshing style can be seen in the many other poster series that he designed for theaters and museums.

On Saturday May 16, Gert Dumbar turned 80. The memorable age of 80 was celebrated by the organization of Zefir7 BNO kring Den Haag, with a live interview in which designer Renate Boere asked questions from the audience to Gert Dumbar. No better gift for the lively designer than to put him to work was the idea.

The interview can be listened to (and viewed with accompanying images) on our YouTube channel or via the BNO.