Milton Glaser
Milton Glaser (June 26, 1929 – June 26, 2020) was an American graphic designer, recognized for his designs, including the I Love New York logo;[1][2] a 1966 poster for Bob Dylan; the logos for DC Comics, Stony Brook University, Brooklyn Brewery;[3] and his graphic work on the introduction of the iconic 1969 Olivetti Valentine typewriter.[4]
Milton Glaser
June 26, 1929
June 26, 2020 (aged 91)
I Love New York logo
Steven Brower (first cousin once removed)
Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award Lifetime Achievement, 2004
National Medal of Arts, 2009
In 1954, he also co-founded Push Pin Studios, co-founded New York magazine with Clay Felker, and established Milton Glaser, Inc. In 1969, he produced and designed "Short Subject", commonly known as "Mickey Mouse in Vietnam", a short 16mm anti-war film directed by Whitney Lee Savage (father of Adam Savage). His artwork has been featured in exhibits, and placed in permanent collections in many museums worldwide.[5] Throughout his long career, he designed many posters, publications and architectural designs. He received many awards for his work, including the National Medal of the Arts award from President Barack Obama in 2009 and was the first graphic designer to receive this award.[5]
Personal life[edit]
Milton Glaser was the uncle of Gabby Glaser, of the band Luscious Jackson. He was also a first cousin once removed of graphic designer Steven Brower; Glaser was Browser’s mother’s cousin.[14] He died of a stroke and renal failure in New York City on his 91st birthday.[7][15]
Works[edit]
Bob Dylan poster[edit]
In 1966, Glaser designed a poster for Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits. It was one of Glaser's first posters. The poster depicts the profile of Dylan's face with psychedelic, swirly hair, with "Dylan" written at the bottom in Baby Teeth, one of Glaser's typefaces.[15] His inspiration for the poster was Marcel Duchamp's 1957 Self-portrait; and Art Nouveau, saying "That was an influence for the colors and shapes in the picture."[16] Six million posters have been printed and distributed, and sell for hundreds of dollars as collectibles.[16]
Awards[edit]
In 2004, Glaser won a National Design Award Lifetime Achievement from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum for his profound and meaningful long-term contributions to the contemporary practice of design.[5]
In 2009, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House.[7][20] Glaser is the first graphic designer to have received this award.[20]
Glaser was honored as one of The New Jewish Home's 2015 Eight Over Eighty honorees.[26]
Brooklyn Brewery logo
DC Comics logo, 1977–2005
LaGuardia High School logo
Stony Brook University logo
Stony Brook Southampton logo
