Comment

This New Year greeting card was designed by Burton Kramer for 1987 and mailed in advance of New Year’s Day as part of a tradition Kramer maintained annually throughout his years in business. The card was acquired from the estate of Tiit Telmet, who had retained it until his passing in January 2025.

Printed on one side and creased vertically down the centre, the card’s composition is both rigorously systematic and visually playful. The primary image is a grid of 798 hearts, arranged 38 across and 21 down, each incrementally rotated in sequence. The result is a distinctly Kramer kinetic effect: a sense of natural, almost organic movement generated entirely through geometric and mathematical control. The hearts are finished in glossy gold foil, heightening the tactile quality and ceremonial character of the piece.

Supporting the central image are four typographic elements, each rotated 90 degrees and positioned in the corners of the format. These include the year 1987; Burton Kramer Associates Limited; Designers, Planners and Consultants; and a bilingual seasonal message, Joy to the World / Bonheur à tous. Together, they frame the composition without interrupting its visual rhythm.

While this card falls just outside the primary Canada Modern archival period of 1960–1985, certain works so clearly embody the principles and discipline of the era that they warrant inclusion. This piece is one such example, a compact yet expressive demonstration of Kramer’s enduring commitment to structure, motion, and clarity.

All Archives     Go Back