The signposts at Amsterdam airport Schiphol, posters for the Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum (municipal museum), the logo of the employment agency Randstad, the number-bearing postage stamps from the 1970s... these are just a few examples of well-known designs created by Total Design. This digital collection includes over 4,000 images; together they give a good overview of Total Design and its designers' work.

Starting in the 1960s, Total Design played a leading role in determining the state of graphic design in the Netherlands as well as in some other countries. The agency was renowned for its modern, functionalistic designs.

Total Design was established in 1963 by Wim Crouwel, Friso Kramer, Benno Wissing and the brothers Paul and Dick Schwarz. At the time, it was unparalleled for a single organization to engage in both graphic and industrial design. The agency often undertook sizeable and extensive projects and designed complete company house styles, from stationery and brochures to signage and office furnishings.