Constructivism vs Italian Futurism

構成主義 / イタリア未来派

Both sit in Avant-garde, so the question is not what they belong to but how they behave. They are reached for with some of the same intent, which is where they get confused.

Constructivism

Constructivism — El Lissitzky《赤い楔で白を撃て》1919 — Wikimedia Commons / Public domainConstructivism — Liubov Popova《コンポジション》1917 — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Turns a message into motion with diagonals and hard contrast.

Italian Futurism

Italian Futurism — Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, ZANG TUMB TUUUM, 1915 — Wikimedia Commons / Public domainItalian Futurism — ボッチョーニ『空間における連続性の唯一の形態』1913 — Wikimedia Commons / CC0Italian Futurism — ボッチョーニ 習作 1913 — Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

Converts speed, noise and shock into the size and trajectory of letters, setting the quiet page in motion.

ConstructivismItalian Futurism
Era1910s–1930s1909–1940s
FamilyAvant-gardeAvant-garde
KindStyleStyle
CuesRed, black and white / Diagonal axis / Photomontage / Imperative letteringWords-in-freedom / Radiating type / Onomatopoeia / Extreme jumps in scale
Best used forCampaigns that demand action · Delivering a strong statement in an instantConverting sound and speed into still images · Controlled explosions for titles and announcements
TypeHeavy condensed type in capitalsTreat differing weights, widths and angles as volume
CompositionCollide photography and type along a diagonal spineFix one point of impact; radiate and accelerate the words
MaterialCoarse halftones, cut-out photos, three colors onlyBlack and off-white with one warning color
CautionCarries strong propaganda associations. Check the ethics of context and message.Never split the movement's innovation from its embrace of war and Fascism; handle it critically.

Put these two together

Avant-garde

IndexStyle