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. Both are read here as style. 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 — El Lissitzky 作品 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