Mourning for Lo Breier: master of magazine design dies

Mourning for Lo Breier: master of magazine design dies

On June 30, 2025, the sad news came of Lo Breier's unexpected death. The important graphic designer and art director behind legendary magazines such as “Wiener” and “Tempo” leaves an impressive mark in the field of graphic design and media design. He was born on January 24, 1953 in Vienna as Lodewijk Breier. He grew up as the son of an Austrian and a Dutchman, who discovered creative craftsmanship early on and thus opened a whole new chapter in the Austrian design scene.

Breier developed a deep understanding of design and technology during his training at the “Graphische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt” in Vienna. In the 1970s he made his first money selling screen-printed Jimi Hendrix posters and made a name for himself in the creative scene. His first job was at the advertising agency GGK under the direction of Hans Schmid. There he began to hone his skills and soon shaped the visual style of various publications.

Influential works and achievements

His work for the magazine “Wiener” from 1980, which became known for its in-depth political reports, was particularly memorable. With innovative design elements, such as the use of white spaces, he set new standards in the magazine design world. Breier's creative vision was ultimately not overlooked by the international media, so he received numerous offers from abroad as early as the 1980s.

In 1985 he moved to Hamburg, where he worked as art director for "Tempo", a magazine known as Germany's answer to international lifestyle magazines. During his time at Tempo from 1986 to 1996, he worked closely with Neville Brody and cemented his reputation as one of the most influential designers of his time.

Thanks to his diverse experiences, he became a professor of editorial design at the Folkwang University in Essen in the 1990s. Breier was not only a creative mind, but also a teacher who passed on his knowledge and passion for design to the next generation. He dedicated his last years to designing for “Bild am Sonntag” and was awarded the honorary award for his life’s work in 2020.

Legacy and projects

Lo Breier was involved in numerous projects that were of particular importance to him. This includes, among other things, the iconic LP album “Junge Roemer” by Falco, but also his exhibitions such as “Lo’s Hawara” in the Hamburg Deichtorhallen, which presented his impressive works to a wide audience. He was a member of the Art Directors Club (ADC) and the Creativ Club Austria, where he also pursued his creative passion in various honorary positions.

His influence on the design scene is evident not only in his own works, but also through the impact he had on his students and colleagues. “There’s something going on!” – his creative input and the way he implemented ideas for design will always be unforgettable.

His death leaves a void in the graphic design community, but the works he created and the innovations he pioneered will continue to provide inspiration well into the future. Breier's life shows how much power and influence graphic design can have on society and that good design tells stories and enriches people's lives.

World reports on Lo Breier's impressive career and legacy in graphic design and media. Also Wikipedia gives an exciting overview of his life and his achievements. For those interested in the history of graphic design Design messenger valuable insights into the development of this art form.