Paul Rand
(August 15, 1914–November 26, 1996)


Paul Rand was an American graphic designer who was born in 1914 in Brooklyn, New York. His father never thought art would bring food to the table, and he was right at one point. Rand worked for free so to have full creative freedom when he designed the covers of Direction magazine. An exceptional artist, he was recognized right away for his work. At age 23, he was the art director for Esquire-Coronet magazine.

Rand was notable famous for his corporate logos. Some of them are still used now. He designed IBM, ABC, Westinghouse, and UPS (the new logo is just a newer version of Rand's logo). When he designed ABC's logo in 1962, Rand mentioned that a logo “cannot survive unless it is designed with the utmost simplicity and restraint.” He was right. The logo survived till 2006 and is now used as a secondary logo on printed material (the current one was adapted to fit modern trends by the help of new technology).

Rand was unique because he had a theory where other designers at the time did not explore—making familiar things strange. He had a great sense of design and was able to create something so boring lively, like a packaging for Westinghouse's light bulbs.

He died in 1996 of cancer. He was 82 and had a successful career. He taught at Yale University and passed on his design thoughts, and in 1972, Rand was included in the New York Art Directors Club Hall of Fame.





(ABC's new logo)




Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Rand
http://www.logodesignlove.com/all-about-paul-rand