As graphic designer, there are some names you have to be able to name-drop. In order to save you from awkward situations when an important name comes along, we cataloged some of the best designers of all times.
Designers work hard. That’s a real and true statement. We discussed in a previous article that talent values a lot, but it’s not enough. Any notorious graphic designer worked diligently and sacrificially to get their name on the billboards. There are no shortcuts to hard work and subsequently to success. What you as a designer have to do is no different. In fact, nowadays, the market is flooded with graphic designers. Some better than others, let’s face it. Sometimes it’s harder to “fight” against the mediocre graphic designers due to their low prices. We are here to encourage you to follow your dream and aim to be the best by all means. How can you do that? Of course, you have to practice a lot, train yourself in design schools and courses, read, and study other designers.
Here are some of the best graphic designers of all times who influenced and keep inspiring thousands and thousands of designers. Study their work, their life, their inspiration, and let their success influence yours.
In no specific order, the pioneers of the modern design are:
1. Rob Janoff
Important to keep it simple. People can’t remember complicated things. They can remember simple things. That’s also what makes the logo stand out.
About the designer: born in Culver City, California
Studied at: San Jose State University
Specialized in: logos
Known for: designing the Apple Logo
Find out more: robjanoff.com
2. Chip Kidd
Anyway, in a lot of ways it’s similar. When you’re writing you’re basically designing with words. You’re taking these essentially abstract symbols that don’t mean anything and then you construct them, so that when you read them it will mean something. With design, you’re taking a combination of words and pictures and putting them together so that they will mean something when they’re united
About the designer: born in Shillington, Berks Country, in 1964, currently living in New York City
Studied at: Pennsylvania State University
Specialized in: Book covers
Known for: Jurassic Park book covers, Haruki Murakami’s book cover, The Boomer book covers, etc.
Find out more: chipkidd.com
3. Massimo Vignelli
I like design to be semantically correct, syntactically consistent, and pragmatically understandable. I like it to be visually powerful, intellectually elegant, and above all times.
About the designer: born in Milan, Italy, in 1931
Studied at: Politecnico di Milano and later at the Università di Architettura, Venice
Specialized in: packaging
Known for: the Big Brown Bag, New York City Subway Diagram
Find out more: vignelli.com
4. Peter Saville
As far as you can, try to do what you believe in, because then you hold on to yourself. I don’t really have much money – I don’t own my home, but I’m happy with what I’ve done. I might regret some mistakes I made, but I don’t regret the work I made.
About the designer: born in Manchester, Lancashire in 1955
Studied at: St Ambrose College.
Specialized in: CD covers and record sleeves
Known for: Factory Records cover designs
Find out more: petersaville.info
5. Carolyn Davidson
Studied at: Portland State University
Specialized in: logo designs
Known for: Nike Swoosh
Find out more: https://www.designindaba.com
We hope that you found this article interesting and inspirational. We will keep writing about designers and design daily, so make sure you stay updated with our posts.
Anyone in the industry (or any industry really, hell, life) should know it’s mostly luck and who you know that gets you the big jobs.
There may be a few that are actually amazing designers, but being a good designer requires you to be able to sell (bullshit) to convince your client it’s good. After all, design is subjective.
Agree!