Armando Testa

Armando Testa (23 March 1917 – 20 March 1992) was an Italian graphic designer, cartoonist, animator and painter.

Armando Testa 1971

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 a 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 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, biographical documentary film Armando Testa. Povero ma moderno, directed by Pappi Corsicato, was presented out of competition.^[5]

See also

• History of advertising § Italy