A career in industrial design in the era of the economic miracle
Richard Authier (1925-2018) was a pioneer of industrial design in Francophone Switzerland. After joining Paillard as a draughtsman in 1947, the following year he submitted two innovative concepts to win an internal competition held by the radio department. This marked the start of Authier's career as a designer in the company that would last more than forty years. Designing typewriters, radios, cameras, accessories, record players, showcases, trade fair stands and much more, he also created numerous graphical materials, including advertisements, manuals and packaging.
Placing the user at the centre of his thinking and his projects, Authier was a key figure with regard to the international reach of Paillard - the biggest industrial employer in Francophone Switzerland in the 1960s - thanks to the Hermes, Bolex and Thorens brands. Later in his career, Authier freelanced for various clients, including Omega and Braun.
The publication traces his career as a designer in the vibrant context of the economic miracle, an era marked by the advent of new technologies (computers, office automation) and materials (plastic). For the first time, this research work allows us to identify the hitherto unknown author of various products. Altogether, it enables a holistic consideration of Authier's ambitious avant-garde career in terms of quality, quantity and diversity.
On the one hand, the book offers a chronological and contextualised account of Authier's life and career; on the other, it features a rich collection of images consisting of historical records and new photographs by Calypso Mahieu depicting some twenty products in great detail.
Laurent Soldini is an industrial designer, product designer, project manager and researcher at ECAL with an emphasis on interdisciplinary topics.
Sebastien Mettraux is an artist from Vallorbe, where he still lives and works, and is fascinated by the industry of the region. He was initiator and curator of the exhibition Rock Me Baby that was on how in Yverdon-les-Bains in 2020/21.
Sophie Wietlisbach is a graphic designer and type designer and author of Impact Type / Caractères.
