Irma Boom “The Architecture of the Book”, 2010. Book designed by Irma Boom.
79
attends 1984 AKI Academy of Art & Design
87
designs two volumes of postage stamps, a controversial project that brings her name onto the public stage
91
establishes Irma Boom Office in Amsterdam
Roca Jose, Alejandro Martin “Waterweavers: a chronicle of rivers”, 2014. Book designed by Irma Boom.
94
becomes a Member of AGI (Allinance Graphique International)
01
receives a Gutenberg Prize for her complete oeuvre
10
stages a solo exhibition in Amsterdam
Irma Boom “Hommage à Kelly”, 2016. Designed as a tribute to one of her biggest inspirations, artist Ellsworth Kelly. Limited edition of 99 copies, signed and numbered in pencil. Courtesy Slewe Gallery.
13
creates one of her world famous books for Chanel's exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris
16
receives an award from AIGA for book cover design
James Butler, Jennifer Butler, Georgina Butler “James Jennifer Georgina”, 2010. Book designed by Irma Boom.
18
becomes a member of the American Academy in Rome and Royal Dutch Institute Rome
somebody once said that I’m building books. i really like that expression. —irma boom
Irma Boom “Hommage à Kelly”, 2016. Designed as a tribute to one of her biggest inspirations, artist Ellsworth Kelly.
from painting to graphic design
Born in 1960 in Lochem, the Netherlands, Irma Boom was the youngest of nine children. She attended the AKI Academy Art School to become a painter but that didn’t work out, as it was not what she envisioned. At school she was searching for another discipline and while wandering the school entered a class where a teacher was talking about books. The teacher, Abe Kuipers, recited poetry and texts from books he carried from Groningen to Enschede.
