An interview with Graphic Designer Victor Langer of Berkeley CA

Mid-Century Art Supergraphics was lucky to interview Victor Langer, designer of some of our favorite Supergraphics. 

​He designed these Orange Records:    ​​

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Here's his Grasses in green:

​Here's two cool Triptych shots of Victors' Arch and Snake designs from a vintage boutique in the Mission District of San Francisco:

​Mid-Century Art has always wanted to find out how Supergraphics were made.  Read on to find out!
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An interview with Victor Langer of Langer Design:

How did you end up designing Graphilia Textile Supergraphics?

The creator of Graphilia (I forget his name) contacted me.

HOW did you design the graphics?  Like on paper?  How were the files stored, transferred to the silk screens etc?  (I’m clueless) 

I started with a small rough sketch. Then turned that into a full size paper design. Then did a rubylith or amberlith film over that: those are dual film sheets--a thin red or amber thin film laminated to a heavier clear film substrate; the red or amber film is translucent enough so that you can see your layout below but light-proof enough to read as black to photographic processes. So the top film is cut and removed using an Xacto knife and cutting compass. Then it is used to make the silkscreen, photographically and by direct contact. Positively prehistoric. But that's the way it was in "the days of B.C." (That's Before Computers, not Before Christ--a term I heard from another graphic designosaur.)

Was the 1970s fun?  Were you in SF or Berkeley or _____?  What was that like?
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The 70s were a mixed bag. They had afterglow from the glorious (but tumultuous) 60s, but also a sense of the fading of the dream.  I was in SF, but came to Berzerkley on occasion--once when I was there I had the pleasure of inhaling some teargas at a street demonstration.  Drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll ruled. I liked the concerts in the park amid a marijuana haze. 

Were there a lot of porcelain owls and birds and potted ferns?  

Yes, and don't forget lava lamps, fondue sets, sideburns, and beanbag chairs.

Any favorite Mid-Century designs (see my most recent blog post)?

I like the Eiffel Side Chair with its geometrical base.

What the favorite design you have done?  Any links to it?

Many of the logos on my website:
www.langerdesign.com
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Are you married?  Any other personal detail you’d like to add?

Not married officially, but live with my girlfriend of many years.
We just moved a few months ago to Berkeley after many years in SF.
Love Berkeley. Trees!!! It's great to be out of the city!!!​