Milton Glaser:
The Start of a Design Genius
If
you have ever lived in or visited New York City, you have set foot on the same
ground as one of the most influential and celebrated American graphic
designers. Milton Glaser was born June 26th, 1929 in the capital of
an art and design booming state. As he went from infant to young adult, he
attended only art centered schools. New York City’s High School of Music and
Art was where he spent his teenage years until reaching graduation. He furthered
his education at the Cooper Union art school, not desiring the leave his city
quite yet. With a full ride scholarship and a determination to learn more about
design, Glaser set out for Italy. There was his last stop for schooling, where
he attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna.
The Founding Designer
Starting
in the 1950’s, while Glaser had still not reached his 30’s, he began to create
more ways to leave his mark for the world to see. In the year 1954 Glaser
accomplished a feat that many designers still strive to do. Alongside Seymour
Chwast, Reynold Ruffins, and Edward Sorel, Glaser co-founded Pushpin Studio.
The graphic design and illustration studio is up and running in present day. He
then moved forward and 14 years later founded New York Magazine, which has
proven to be an extensively successful publication. Six years passed and Milton
Glaser, Inc. was created. Lastly, in the year 1983, Walter Bernard and Milton
Glaser founded a publication design firm that turned out profitable, which was
named WBMG. Thanks to the much needed publicizing of his work, it can now be
seen all over the globe, in places such as New York, California, Japan, and
Paris.
The Creativity in Binds
Throughout
the 82 year old graphic designer’s lifespan, there has been room to create texts
to go along with the abundant amount of posters, advertisements, logos, etc. The
beginning of his writing career was not even centered on art or design. His
first text was all about food, called The
Underground Gourmet: Where to Find Great Meals in New York for Less Than $3.00
and As Little As 50 cents. After his first text in 1970, Glaser decided to
go back to what he knows best. In 1973 he wrote Milton Glaser: Graphic Design, which was revised 13 years later. He
was clever enough to create a poster book with all of his posters made as of
1977. There were multiple novels written by Glaser up until present day,
however the most famous two texts would have to be Art is Work and The Design of
Dissent, which were both revised as time passed. Glaser’s Art is Work, spreads out over 500
personal pieces within its pages. The Design of Dissent is focused more
specifically on designs that are influenced by society and the world of politics.
The Designer and his Work
When
you hear the name Milton Glaser one image seems to never fail to come in mind.
That image, in which Glaser is most famous for today is the I Love New York
logo. One symbol alone has created a model for hundreds representing adoration
in states, cities, or simple objects. The other well-known piece by Glaser is
that of Bob Dylan. The use of line, positive and negative space, and color
created a design that has passed through generations. Overall all, Glaser has
created designs that will be recognized for many years to come. From logos to
posters to sculptures to ads, Glaser has put his name out there any way he can.
He has experimented with music icons, consumer products, massive corporations,
free hand illustrations, and much more. Considering the collection of art and
design that he has accumulated throughout his years, it comes to no surprise
that he has received multiple awards. Including the Lifetime Achievement Award
and Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, Glaser has gotten his share of
recognition. Lastly, Glaser is the one and only graphic designer so far to
receive the National Medal of Arts, personally from President Obama himself.
References
Argent,
Patrick. "Milton Glaser Biography." Milton Glaser. Milton Glaser,
Inc., 2010. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://www.miltonglaser.com>.
Boom,
Design. "Milton Glaser." DesignBoom. Designboom, Inc., 08 May 2004.
Web. 15 Apr. 2012. <http://www.designboom.com/eng/interview/glaser.html>.
Gallery,
Artist. "Milton Glaser - Biography." RoGallery.com Fine Art Auctions
& Select Artworks Online. RoGallery, 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.
<http://rogallery.com/Glaser_Milton/glaser-bio.htm>.
Glaser,
Milton. Art Is Work: Graphic Design, Interiors, Objects and Illustration.
London: Duckworth, 2008. Print.
