Armando Testa
Armando Testa (23 March 1917 – 20 March 1992) was an Italian graphic designer, cartoonist, animator and painter.
Born in Turin, Testa worked as a typesetter until 20 years old.[1] He was initiated to artistic career by abstract painter Ezio D'Errico, who was one of his professors at the Vigliardi-Paravia Printing School he attended.[2] After winning a poster design contest in 1937, he started working in the advertising industry, and in 1946 abandoned his work as a printer and opened a graphic studio in his hometown.[1][2][3] In 1956, he founded Studio Armando Testa along with his wife, Lidia, and associate Franco de Barberis, and their studio soon became one of Italy's largest agencies, partnering with Benton & Bowles in the United States and establishing several branches throughout Europe.[1][3] A key role in Testa's success had television commercials, particularly the ones created for Carosello.[3] In 1959 he created the official logo for 1960 Summer Olympics.[3] Studio Armando Testa's customers include Nestlé, Lavazza and Barilla.[3]
Between 1965 and 1971, he was professor of Design and Typographic Composition at the Polytechnic University of Turin.[4]
He was granted the Gold Medal of the Ministry of Education for his contribution to Visual Art in 1968.[4]
Starting from the mid-1980s, Testa focused on painting and on poster design for cultural and social campaigns.[3] In 1985 he was appointed honor laureate in Fort Collins, Colorado.[3]
At the 66th edition of the Venice Film Festival, in September 2009, it was presented out of competition a biographical documentary film, Armando Testa - povero ma moderno directed by Pappi Corsicato.[5]
In 1978, the Studio Testa transformed to the Armando Testa Spa. They expanded their operations to Milan and Rome, as well.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Armando Testa" in Communication Arts, Volume 17, Issue 6. pp. 30-41.
- ^ a b Mark Tungate (2007). Adland: A Global History of Advertising. Kogan Page Publishers, 2007. pp. 139–143. ISBN 978-0749448370.
- ^ a b c d e f g John McDonough, Karen Egolf (18 June 2015). The Advertising Age: Encyclopedia of Advertising. Routledge, 2015. ISBN 978-1135949136.
- ^ a b GALLERIACONTINUA. "Armando Testa | Biography". Galleria Continua. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ Giovanna Grassi (6 September 2009). "Armando Testa, una vita da applausi". Corriere della Sera. p. 35. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
- ^ "AT / At Armando's School - Interview". www.armandotesta.it. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
