11/8/08

Assignment #5: Influential Magazine Designer

Research a magazine designer or art director that was active between 1930-1960 and post a short bio. In addition, discuss what made their work groundbreaking and influential. Include images of magazine covers or designs

Think about what Pentagram designer Luke Hayman said in the short interview we watched in class on Wednesday. He said: "I'm a big fan of copying, but not copying directly from your peer." Hayman encourages researching the design archives. He specifically mentions the internet, but what other design archives are available to you? 



Otto Storch (1913-1999)

Otto graduated from Pratt institute and started working as a photo editor for Dell Publishing. He was not satisfied with his job, and took night classes with Alexy Brodovich, the art director for Harper's Bazaar. He was eventually offered a job as assistant director to Better Living, a magazine published by the McCall Corporation. He moved up in the ranks of the company until he was given full creative responsibilities for McCall's magazine. He was the art director for 14 years, starting in 1955.

Steven Heller of the of the New York Times wrote:

"In the late 1950's Mr. Storch was one of a handful of graphic designers who helped transform and modernize the visual content of American magazines. He belonged to what the graphic design historian Philip Meggs calls the New York School, a group of editorial and advertising designers who based layouts on unified visual ideas rather than merely embellishing the page with ornamentation."

Here are some examples of layouts by Otto Storch:






Design influences can be found all over. Archives are available at any book store or public library. Beyond that, taking a walk downtown can yield ideas and inspiration you might not obtain anywhere else. 







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