In Orio Galli’s design work, “figurative” graphics, which use illustration and empathic, sometimes almost humorous drawn images coexist with rational and functionalist graphics that seek geometric modularity and typographical rigor. “Warm” graphics and “cold” graphics; one kind of graphic design achieved with the free expressiveness of his sign and another based on the measured construction and stringency of calculation. Improvisation versus precision. Gestures versus construction. Then there is the cement, the sense of the genius loci, of belonging to the known natural environment, which infuses a mood and an expressive energy into both his graphic works and his artistic and calligraphic research. Orio Galli has donated his complete archive, consisting of over ten thousand items and a large collection of books, to the m.a.x. museo.

Orio Galli was born in Milan (1941) to a father from Ticino and an Italian mother. He completed a professional apprenticeship as a window dresser in Lugano between 1956 and 1959, and then at the evening school of the Kunstgewerbeschule in Zurich for two years, where he met, Oliviero Toscani, Antonio Tabet and Flavio Rimoldi in the early sixties. A graphic designer, painter, illustrator, calligrapher and satirical cartoonist, Orio Galli obtained the Federal Certificate of Graphic Design in Biel (1963). In the late sixties he frequented the Milanese circles of Swiss graphic designers and that of Monte Olimpino, where he met Bruno Munari. He then came into contact with Max Huber, Max Weiss and Heinz Waibl.

After starting his professional career as a window dresser, in 1967 he began to practice the profession of graphic designer and the following year he opened his Atelier at Caslano. He soon received important commissions. In 1970 his poster for the Caffè Moretto in Chiasso was chosen among the finest Swiss posters of the year. His first advertising manuals for the Hotel Olivella au Lac in Morcote, starting in 1968, won Galli important commissions, such as those for the Ticino Tourist Board and the Locarno and Valli Tourist Board. These collaborations resulted in an innovative graphic image, completed by the creation of the Ticino logo (1982) and then that of Locarno combined with the slogan Locarno… naturalmente (1989).

The artist was also in charge of important graphic projects on behalf of the RTSI-Radiotelevisione della Svizzera italiana, the OCST-Ticino Christian-Social Organization and the UNST-Swiss National Tourism Office.

Orio Galli’s name is associated with the famous poster that won multiple awards from critics Ticino: terra d’artisti (1984), while the poster for Caffè Moretto (1970), Ars et musica (1983), Tessiner Frühling – der sanfe Sommer (1986) and Vesperali (1987) have also won awards as among the finest Swiss posters. The triptych Comunicare (1999), Energia (1998) and Campionato mondiale di ciclismo (2009), and the poster Visarte: cosa fare? (2010) also won accolades. He won the competition for the finest Swiss books design five times. In 1977 he also received the prize for the best tourist brochure for the Processioni storiche di Mendrisio.

In addition to designing posters, corporate identities and logos for companies, he has produced many graphic designs for the Confederation, from voting brochures to posters for its 700th anniversary, and several coats of arms for municipalities in Canton Ticino (in particular for the Municipalities of Bioggio and Collina d’Oro).

There are many companies and institutions for which Orio Galli has created advertising graphics, from logos to corporate image. He has also contributed to numerous newspapers.

He lives and has his atelier in Caslano.

Works by the author in institutional collections: Museum für Gestaltung Zürich; National Museum Zürich; Centro Internazionale d’Arte e Grafica CIAG, Chiasso.