Born in 1935 in what is now Liberec, Czech Republic, Hildegard Korger began her career in a bank before studying at the School of Applied Arts in Heiligendamm from 1956 to 1959. She then pursued further education in typography under Albrecht Kapr at the Leipzig Academy for Graphic Design and Book Art, completing her studies in 1963. Her career advanced through a series of roles at the academy, from postgraduate and assistant positions to lecturer and, eventually, professor of type design from 1980 until her retirement in 1999.

Korger’s teaching achievements include her seminal book, “Schrift und Schreiben“, a foundational text for calligraphy and type design enthusiasts, first published nearly five decades ago. This work discusses the relationship between typography and architectural style, observing that 19th-century industrialization and advertising led to a loss of stylistic cohesion. Korger emphasized the importance of aligning typefaces aesthetically and harmoniously with architectural spaces, criticizing the lack of care in modern urban typography and promoting a high standard for typographic design, particularly in public spaces.

Hildegard Korger passed away on November 8, 2018, leaving behind a lasting influence on German typography and design education. (hs)