Paul Rand (Late) | Famous Graphic Designer

I think some of you might have seen this name when searched ‘Graphic Design’ on Google. In my last couple of blogs I have explained many times that, to be successful Graphic Designer you should read about other Graphic Designer`s experiences. In that case I think let’s have a look on Paul Rand` s Life, who was a famous Graphic Designer.

Paul was born on 15^th August 1914 in Brroklyn(new York) United States. He was specifically famous for Corporate Identity Design. 

IBM Logo in 1962

This is true that when a child`s passion come into his profession he always become winner of his field, same was with Paul. Paul was born as a designer. He used to win many design and Art competitions at school.  He designed his Father`s painting store and also worked in school designing at P.S 109. He got his early education at Manhattan’s Harran High School. He joined Pratt Institute (1929-1932), Parson School of designing (1932-1933) and Art Students League (1933-1934). He designed many famous logos such as Westinghouse, NeXT Computer, IBM, United Parcel Service (UPS), and the American Broadcasting Company (abc) and Yale University. During his studies he was inspired by German advertising style Sachplakat (ornamental poster) as well as the works of Gustav Jensen. 

Along with the education he started learning designing his self. This is not wrong to say that he learned many of the designing work himself.

abc Logo 1962

Every profession needs some assignments to polish the skills. Paul did the same. He worked on many assignments and worked for some magazines in the beginning of his career. Basically a friend of Paul Morris Wyszogrod decided to the name PAUL RAND, according to him this is a nice combination to have four letters on left and Four on right. His original name was Peretz Rosenbaum.  

Most exciting tributes Rand received by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy:

“Among these young Americans it seems to be that Paul Rand is one of the best and most capable [. . .] He is a painter, lecturer, industrial designer, [and] advertising artist who draws his knowledge and creativeness from the resources of this country. He is an idealist and a realist, using the language of the poet and business man. He thinks in terms of need and function. He is able to analyze his problems but his fantasy is boundless.”

Another tribute by Louis Danziger:

UPS Logo 1961

 “He almost singlehandedly convinced business that design was an effective tool. [. . .] Anyone designing in the 1950s and 1960s owed much to Rand, who largely made it possible for us to work. He is more than anyone else made the profession reputable. We went from being commercial artists to being graphic designers largely on his merits”.

He left a golden theory for all coming designers. He was died in the age of 82 on 26november 1996.

Visit Paul Rand Books.

Posted in: graphic-design, inspiration