In 2010, the Brno Biennial Organising Committee recognised Rostislav Vaněk with an award for a lifetime’s contribution to graphic design. The 26th Brno Biennial proudly presents this first retrospective exhibition showing a selection of Vaněk’s works beginning with his school years, his graphic art books, magazines and posters, and his visual communication in public space (Prague metro, ČSA). Having won the Brno Biennial’s competition for visual style in 1978, 1980 and 1982, Vaněk is closely associated with the event.

For the past eleven years he has headed the Department of Graphic Design and Visual Communication at the Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague. The work of his students was exhibited as part of the 22nd Brno Biennial 2006.

In recent years he has devoted his time to the design of typefaces, and these typeface designs will be on display for the first time in this exhibition.

Conceived by Rostislav Vaněk (CZ)Rostislav Vaněk (1945) studied at the Graphic School Prague (1960–1964) and at the Studio of Illustration and Graphics with Prof. Karel Svolinský AAAD in Prague (1964–1970). Between 1971–1976 lecturer in the Studio of Applied Graphics and Poster with Prof. Eugen Weidlich, AAAD in Prague, 1976–1985 head of the art editorial office of Československý spisovatel Publishers in Prague, and since 1985 he has worked as freelance graphic designer in his own studio. In 2001 he has been appointed Professor in the Studio of Graphic Design and Visual Communication, the AAAD in Prague, and has been working there till now. Founding member of Typo& (1974), co-founder and chair of the TypoDesignClub Prague (1995). He designed more than 20 Czechoslovak postage stamps, half of which won an award in the competition for the Most Beautiful Stamp of the Year. Significant realizations: Prague Metro orientation system, visual identity of hotels Forum, Palace, Atrium in Prague, Dvořák Hotel in Karlovy Vary. He designed the logo and manual for the Czech Airlines, including graphic design of all aircrafts and land vehicles (collaboration with R. Leszczynski), visual identity for the Czechoslovak Commercial Bank, the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group in Prague 2000, visual style for the International Conference Identity – Integrity, Icograda, Brno Biennial 2002. He created book design for more than 1,000 book titles. His work obtained many awards for graphic design and visual communication, e.g. Special Prize of the Academy of Visual Arts Leipzig IBA Leipzig 1977, Exhibition Graphics Award Praga, The World Stamp Exhibition 1978, Certificate of Honour 10th Brno Biennial 1982, bronze medal Praga, The World Stamp Exhibition 1988, Certificate of Honour IBA Leipzig 1989, Achievement Award Icograda, Identity – Integrity Icograda Conference Brno Biennial 2002, Excellent Design Award, Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Design Centre of the Czech Republic 2003, Organising Committee Award for a contribution to graphic design, Brno Biennial 2010.