Design Pioneers: African American Graphic Designers You Should Know

Back in the day, diversity in the field of graphic design was far from visible. While studying in the early ’90s, Glenford Laughton and his generation learned of famous designers like Saul Bass, Milton Glaser, Paul Rand, and more. Although these men changed the way graphic design was seen, he did not see graphic designers from the African diaspora proudly presented and applauded.

In this talk, Laughton highlights Black graphic designers who have left an indelible mark on the field, points out those who have flourished in the face of racial adversity by expressing and fighting to have their artistic voice heard, and highlights those who created their own companies and excelled as Black entrepreneurs at a time when this was unheard of, along with those who continue to do so to this day.

Glenford‘s criteria for choosing these pioneers of graphic design is simple:

1. He must love their work.
2. They must have been born 1966 or before (older than him)

“It is not my intention to leave out other well-deserved and talented younglings. But this presentation will be a call back to my younger self, to recognize that the path before was designed black and beautiful.”

Letterform Lectures are a public aspect of the Type West postgraduate program. The series is co-presented by the San Francisco Public Library, where events are free and open to all.