Most designers need a little inspiration when it comes to design, or think we need to be inspired by professional designers – and while this may certainly be true, sometimes the best source of inspiration is knowing who all the players in the industry are.
There are countless legendary graphic designers that have helped shape the world of design as we know it today. From early pioneers like William Morley to contemporary kings like David Carson, these designers’ works have pushed boundaries, challenged norms and captivated audiences.
While there are too many greats to list them all here, we’ve compiled a list of 6 legendary graphic designers that every designer should know about. Each one has made a significant contribution to the world of design and their works continue to inspire new generations of designers.
So, without further ado, let’s know more about them!
1. Paul Rand: One of the most influential American graphic designers, Rand is known for his simple yet effective and timeless designs. He was responsible for creating iconic logos for companies like IBM, UPS, and Enron.
2. Saul Bass: Another highly influential American graphic designer, Bass is known for his work in film title sequences and posters. He created some of the most iconic title sequences in cinema history, such as the ones for Otto Preminger’s The Man with the Golden Arm and Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.
3. Milton Glaser: A third important American graphic designer, Glaser is best known for co-founding New York Magazine and creating its iconic logo. He has also designed much-celebrated posters, such as the one for Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits album.
4. Neville Brody: A British graphic designer, Brody is best known for his work in The Face magazine during the 1980s where he introduced a new era of typographic experimentation. He has since gone on to design fonts and typefaces used by many major corporations.
5. David Carson: Another highly influential British graphic designer, Carson is best known for his work as art director of Ray Gun magazine in the early 1990s where he popularised grunge typography.
6. Massimo Vignelli: An Italian graphic designer, Vignelli is best known for his simple and elegant designs, such as the New York City subway map and the IBM logo.
