Walter Herdeg studied at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Zürich and subsequently at the Staatliche Academie für Freie und Angewandte Kunst in Berlin (under O.H.W. Hadank). Continued his studies in Paris, London and New York. His fi rst commission in Switzerland was the design of the visual identity of St Moritz. He opened his own advertising agency and publishing house with Walter Amstutz. Started as the editor/designer of the bi-monthly, authoritative and respected magazine Graphis in 1944. He was secretary general of AGI 1975–85. The annuals came later: Graphis Annual 1952, Photo Graphis 1966, Graphis Posters 1974, Graphis Diagrams 1976. The rigid selection of works he published in the magazine and books was no doubt quite subjective; illustrative work seemed to be his preference. Steven Heller wrote: ‘He had passionate likes and dislikes, and a few heroes too.’ He was given the Walter Design Award by Parsons School of Design and the AIGA Medal, both in New York, 1987.