F H K Henrion Archive

The archive covers Henrion's entire career, comprising original artwork, photography, examples of packaging and graphic design as well as correspondence with clients. It also includes Henrion's library of books on graphic and industrial design, typography and advertising.

F H K Henrion (1914-1990) was a British-based designer of international renown, his design work encompassing posters, exhibitions, corporate graphic design and advertising. Among his best known logos are those for Tate and Lyle, the National Theatre and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He was also closely involved with design institutions such as the Council of Industrial Design (later the Design Council) and ICOGRADA (International Council of Graphic Design Associations).

Henrion was born in Nuremberg, Germany, moving to Paris in 1933 where he studied textile design under Ted Levy before joining the poster design school of Paul Colin, later moving to London. He was interned as an enemy alien on the Isle of Man at the beginning of the Second World War. After his release in 1940 he was employed as a graphic designer by the Ministry of Information and the US Office of War Information, producing a number of well-known designs of the period, including 'Dig for Victory'. After the war, he developed a reputation as a designer of exhibitions and went on to establish his own design consultancy, working with many major British and international companies to develop their corporate identities.

Henrion also worked as an art editor for various publications, and contributed to the Council for Industrial Designs Design magazine. Teaching at the Royal College of Art and the London College of Printing reinforced his influence as an educator, and he was an active and prominent figure in professional design organisations, including the Society of Industrial Designers (later the Chartered Society of Designers).

The archive is arranged in the following series:

FHK/1 Project boxes

FHK/2 Art work and photography

FHK/3 Slide collection

FHK/4 Personal papers

FHK/5 Library

Researchers wishing to consult the collection should make an appointment. Telephone 44 (0)1273 643217 or email designarchives@brighton.ac.uk

Transferred to the Design Archives by Henrion's widow, Marion Wesel-Henrion, in 2000.

Listing on Filemaker database available for consultation at repository.

Henrion's library, comprising approximately 3,000 items, is listed on the University's Library catalogue.

Collection level record created by Catherine Moriarty, February 2006, and extended by Sue Breakell, January 2010.

Permission must be sought to publish any material from the collection. Email designarchives@brighton.ac.uk

Further material may accrue from the Henrion estate

The Design Council Archive, also housed within the University of Brighton Design Archives, holds material relating to Henrion's involvement with the Festival of Britain (1951).

'Oxford Dictionary of National Biography' entry by David Gentleman, Oxford University Press, 2004

Henrion, FHK and Parkin, Alan 'Design Co-ordination and Corporate Image', New York: Rheinhold Publishing / London: Studio Vista, 1967

'Henrion: Designing Things and Symbols', exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, 04 Feb - 19 Mar 1960

'FHK Henrion: Five Decades a Designer' Research, catalogue and organisation by Mike Hope. Stoke-on-Trent: Staffordshire Polytechnic, 1989. Exhibition held at Flaxman Gallery, Staffordshire Poly, 28 Nov - 14 Dec 1989.