Elegantissma: The Design And Typography of Louise Fili
January 26 - February 28, 2017
In 2017, MODA presented Elegantissima: The Design and Typography of Louise Fili.
The pop-up exhibition was praised by Steven Heller — art director, author, critic, and journalist — for providing viewers with a “. . . celebration of how a designer’s vision can be personal yet universal, and bring joy to client and consumer.”
Louise Fili has been a graphic designer since 1973. From a fortunate early job with Herb Lubalin (1976–78) to art directorship of Pantheon Books (1978–89) to opening Louise Fili Ltd in 1989, she has mastered an art based on the reinterpretation and invention of exquisite type and typography. Throughout her career she has remained loyal to her oft-invoked three passions “all things food, type, and Italian.”
Fili’s specialties have enabled her to build and evolve the rarest of design values: a distinctive personality that enhances the clients’ needs. A wide range of methods co-exist throughout this work yet they all have the Fili imprimatur. From typographic customization, using history as her guide, to hand lettering rooted in an innate mastery of ornamental form, she is fluent in numerous design languages. She has been master of the book cover, food package and restaurant identity. Yet of all these métiers, the jewel in her crown is logo design. Not the standardized corporate brands, but flowing letterform and pictographic marks that reveal elegance, grace and devotion to precision.
While Fili makes everything look effortless, her workmanship is intense.
To open Elegantissima, MODA was pleased to partner with the Miami Ad School to present a Design Conversation with Fili titled “Food, Type, and All Things Italian.” During the lecture, Fili discussed her extensive body of work in graphic design and brand identity before elaborating on the inspiration she draws from Italy and beyond. The evening ended with a reception and book signing held in the MODA lobby.
