Jurriaan Schrofer facts for kids

Jurriaan Willem Schrofer (born April 15, 1926 – died July 1, 1990) was a talented artist from the Netherlands. He was a sculptor, which means he made art by shaping materials. He was also a graphic designer, creating visuals for things like books and posters. Plus, he was a type designer, meaning he designed different styles of letters and fonts. Later in his life, he taught art at a school.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up and School

Jurriaan Willem Schrofer was born in The Hague, Netherlands, on April 15, 1926. His father, Willem Schrofer, was an artist who painted abstract art. This is a style of art that doesn't show things as they look in real life.

In 1945, Jurriaan finished high school, which is called a "gymnasium" in the Netherlands. After that, he studied law for a short time. In the late 1940s, he moved from Leiden to Amsterdam. He hoped to become a film director, but it didn't work out as he planned.

His Work as a Designer

Hugo Brandt Corstius receives the Busken Huet Prize from Schrofer (right) in 1985

Schrofer designed this Holocaust memorial in Dordrecht in 1989

Starting His Career

In 1949, Schrofer began working as an assistant for another designer named Dick Elffers. This helped him learn more about the design world.

From 1952 to 1955, he worked as a designer for Drukkerij Meijer. This was a printing company in a town called Wormerveer. He helped create the look of printed materials.

Becoming an Independent Artist

Starting in 1955, Schrofer decided to work for himself as an independent designer. This meant he could choose his own projects. He won the H. N. Werkman Prize in 1956 for a special book that showed different types of fonts from Drukkerij Meijer.

He won the H. N. Werkman Prize again in 1962. This time, it was for his design of a book called Space for Living, which came out in 1961.

Working at Design Studios and Schools

From 1974 to 1979, Schrofer was a partner at a famous design studio called Total Design in Amsterdam. This studio was known for its modern and innovative designs.

Later, from 1979 to 1984, he became the director of the Academy for Fine Arts and Design in Arnhem. In this role, he led the art school and helped teach new artists.

Later Life

His Passing

Jurriaan Schrofer passed away on July 1, 1990, in Amsterdam. He was buried at De Brandenburg Cemetery in Bilthoven.

Awards and Recognitions

Schrofer received many awards for his amazing work:

• H. N. Werkman Prize (1956)
• H. N. Werkman Prize (1962)
• Rizzoli Prize (1965)
• Advertizing Prize (1967)
• Rizzoli Prize (1970)
• Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau (1975)
• Bührmann-Ubbens Paper Prize (1987)