Born in Zurich, Wirz studied at the city's School of Applied Arts before working as a designer for various companies. In 1950, he founded his own design studio, Studio Walter Wirz, which quickly became one of Switzerland's leading design offices.
Wirz was known for his minimalist, functional approach to design, influenced by the Swiss modernist movement. He designed logos, posters, books and packaging for many Swiss companies, including the Rolex and Omega watch brands.
Over the years, Wirz has won numerous awards for his work, including the Jan Tschichold Prize in 1988 and the Swiss Design Prize in 1991. He was also a visiting professor at several art and design schools in Switzerland and abroad.
Walter Wirz died in 2014 at the age of 95, leaving behind him a lasting legacy in the world of design.