Isny Sets Its (Pictorial) Standards

Isny’s contemporary town graphics are the culmination of a long process. In the 1970s, the town and the designer Otl Aicher embarked on a long term project with no fixed deadline, characterised by searching and exploring, by leisure and by time, but also by a clear goal.

In the end, 136 pictorial characters in black and white were created, depicting the complexity of the town and the region. The inhabitants of Isny became the subject matter. Aicher observed the people to understand the character of the town and he looked at nature, landscape, animals and the weather. To this day, Aicher’s approach continues to shape the development of the town’s corporate identity and the Isny brand.

At the beginning of the ‘isnyaicher22’ anniversary in March, icons began to appear in the town’s urban spaces – in large format on the medieval town wall, on posters at the Kurhaus and on banners at the entrances to the town. No explanation was given. This mirrored Aicher’s original intent – the icons should not be read merely as illustrations but, by their “radikalen Reduktion”, leave room for the imagination and free association.

A cat, a duck in the reeds, the Espantor gate and a multitude of characters invite all locals and visitors to create their own stories and impressions during a walk through the town in the coming months.