The Work of Two Eminent Graphic Designers - Essay Example

Compare the Work of Two Eminent Graphic Designers (Paul Rands And Milton Glaser) And Discuss Their Influence Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: Compare the Work of Two Eminent Graphic Designers (Paul Rands And Milton Glaser) And Discuss Their Influence The need to make visual and printed presentations more appealing has led to the development of many mechanisms which are aimed at boosting the appeal of printed and visual material. One of the most notable mechanisms of making presentations more appealing is by the integration of new technologies. For instance, the paradigm shift from cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors and televisions into Thin Film Transmission (TFT), Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) has revolutionized the presentations of visual media. On the other hand, the use of smooth and other special kind of papers in addition to precision and laser printers has revolutionized the presentations of printed media. However, one notable aspect of presentation of any type of material be it printed, visual or audio is graphic design. Graphic design is concerned with the design of the material so as to make it more appealing, personalize it to the user, and make it lean towards the theme of the material. Generally, the work of graphic designers is to turn the material which needs to be presented into what it was initially meant to be. In so doing, they make the presentation more appealing. Graphic designers attach identity of a product to the owner and the client e.g. by the use of logos and themes1. This paper will compare the works of two eminent graphic designers Paul Rands and Milton Glaser. Milton Glaser Milton Glaser is undoubtedly one of the most influential graphic designers of the 20th and 21st Century. Born in the year 1929, Milton Glaser undertook his education at the High School of Music and Art and the Cooper Union Art School which is located in New York after he received a Fulbright scholarship. He furthered his education at the Academy Of Fine Arts in Bologna which is located in Italy. Milton Glaser is well renowned for his work on designing the New York logo and DC Comics bullet logo. Milton Glaser is also famous for his co founding of the Push Pin studios, the New York Magazine and his own studio, the Milton Glaser Inc. From his previous works and collections, it can be concluded that Milton is one of the most prolific designers in the discipline of corporate design and illustration2. Though he is a commercial designer, Milton deserves the title of an eminent designer due to the uniqueness and creativity which is associated with his designs. Paul Rands Paul Rands is another of America’s finest graphic designers. The soft spoken yet eloquent designer is renowned for his design of logos. Rands was also renown foe his work on print. The late designer who is now regarded as a legend designer was born in the year 1914 and died in the year 1996. The designer undertook his education at the Pratt Institute. He furthered his education at the Arts Students’ League. Among his most reputable designs of all times are the ABC logo, IBM logo and UPS log. Other works which Rands did include designing logos for Enron, NEXT Computers, Morningstar and Westinghouse3. Over his lifetime, Rands also lectured Arts and design at Yale University. A districting feature of Rands works was his salesman spirit which was transferred into his designs. Comparison of the Design Works of Paul Rands and Milton Glaser Although the Rands and Glaser are regarded as some of the best graphic designers of the recent times, their works are not totally similar. This is due to the personal belief that each one of them upheld. Moreover, each one of them has an inclination towards a specific discipline of design. Rands is inclined towards corporate design and on the other hand, Glaser is inclined towards publication designs. Similarities of Their Works One of the similarities of the works of the two designers is their inherent passion for art and design. Their passion for art was boosted by their education background in arts. At one time, Glaser was once worked under Rands where he acquired some workmanship. This explains the level of finesse and similarity associated with the works of the two designers. Taking a look at their works, it can be concluded that the designers have a passion for art which is depicted in their designs. For instance taking a look at the IBM logo which was designed for the campaign poster for IBM and the poster on the arthritis campaign done by Glaser, it can be concluded that all the designers give a touch of art on their designs. IBM poster by Paul Rands7. Arthritis Poster by Glassier4 Another similarity in the works of both designers if their high levels of creativity. This very important trait which is demanded of from a designer since what he/ she design must be appealing to the eye5. This aspect of creativity van also is deduced from the poster designs done by the two designers on the IBM and Arthritis campaigns. Diversity is another similarity of the works of Milton Glaser and Paul Rands. Both designers have indulged in several Arts works which include corporate designs like logos, print designs like posters, books and magazines6. They have also made designs which have marked several national campaigns for instance the arthritis campaign by Milton Glaser and the AIDS campaign by Paul Rands. Differences between the works of the two designers Although the works of the two designers have a high level of similarity, they also have some distinct differences. The first difference is the inherent use of words by Paul Rands on his designs as opposed to the lack of words which is observed from the works of Milton Glaser. In fact, Glaser is regarded to as a mark of new age design, which upholds the non use of words on designs. Indeed, this is true due to the scenario which is observed today at modern design which upholds the non use of words. In order to explain this effectively, the following famous logo designs by the two designers will be analyzed; IBM design by Paul Rands and the New York logo design by Milton Glaser which he later redesigned in 2001. IBM logo by Paul Rands7 New York Design by Milton Glaser4 The above designs by the two graphic designers can be used to describe the use of words in designs by the two designers. Other designs done by Milton Glaser which depict his use of words in designs include; DC Comics bullet logo. Design works done by Paul Rands which depict his non use of words include: ABC and Next Computers. Another difference between the works of the two designers is simplicity. Paul Rands has often been criticized by the high level of simplicity that is associated with them. This is the inverse to Glaser’s design works which are complicated. This is due to the personal beliefs which were associated with Paul Rands7. He was a strong believer of the fact that designs should be simple enough for them to appeal. In fact, he was complimented by Steve Jobs on his IBM design. Steve Jobs stated that a logo should create identity and help sell a product which was what was created by Rands. The level of simplicity can also be depicted by the logo designs on IBM and New York which the two designers have done. The level of simplicity is transferred to all of Rands’s designs and Glaser has his level complexity transferred to all of his works8. Another big difference in the works of the two designers is the rebellion which is associated with their designs. Paul Rands’s works are rebellious from American’s art since they integrate European Arts especially Swiss Arts. On the other hand, Milton Glassier is conservative since he upholds America’s Arts in the majority of his works. Rands’s works are termed as integrals of America’s Visual culture and Europe’s modern art technically referred to as Avant garde design7. This can be observed in the New York’s Subways Advertising Company’s poster. Subways Advertising Company’s poster by Paul Rands7 Milton Glaser’s simplicity can be illustrated by his design for a poster for CBS records. CBS poster by Glaser4 In conclusion, it can be observed that there lie a lot of similarities and differences in the design works of the two great designers. Indeed, the two designers represent great work of graphic design. From their works, it can be concluded that they possess the inherent characters of graphic designers. Their works depict professionalism, creativity, diversity, excellent communication and confidence. Designing of logos and posters is one of the most profound works of the two designers. As Steve Jobs stated while commenting on Paul Rands’s NEXT Computers’ logo, a logo should be an identity mark of a product. Generally, a successful design should always keep into consideration the audience to whom the design is meant, hence being able to fulfill the key goals for which it was designed for. For this reason, Paul Rands and Milton Glaser were able to stand up to the demands of graphic design hence their great legacy in the industry. Simply put, their works are a mark of great graphic designs. Bibliography Steven Heller ed, Paul Rands : A Designers Words (2012) http://www.hellerbooks.com/pdfs/catalogs_rand_designers_words.pdf (accessed September 2012) Milton Glaser Inc, 2012. In Brief, Milton Glaser. Milton Glaser INC, 012 (August 2011)< http://www.miltonglaser.com/milton/#0 > (accessed September 2012) Michael Kroeger,(2001),Paul Rands Conversation with students, (John Wiley and Sons. 2001) 4-20 Milton Glaser Inc. “The Work”, Milton Glaser INC. 012 (August 2012), ( (accessed September 2012). Milton Glaser, 2001. Art Is Work,( Victor Margolin 2001) 1-71 Read More