Paul Rand, born on August 15, 1914 as Peretz Rosenbaum in Brooklyn, New York, discovered the world of graphic design at a young age. Although he attended Haaren High School, the Pratt Institute, Parsons School for Design, and the Art Students League of New York, Rand saw himself as a self-taught designer. He was inspired by European art movements, …show more content…
Chermayeff attended the Chicago Institute of Design and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts from Yale University, where he was taught by Paul Rand (Brewer). Chermayeff’s respect for Rand was established through Rand’s teaching, and he considered Rand to be a powerful inspiration.
After working as an assistant to Alvin Lustig, a book jacket designer, Chermayeff and his partner, Tom Geismar, formed their own graphic design firm called Chermayeff & Geismar Associates. Known for their abstract designs, they produced hundreds of logos for corporate and non-profit clients, such as NBC, Mobil, Chase Bank, and the Museum of Modern Art.
Paul Rand and Ivan Chermayeff had similar philosophies of corporate design. Rand believed that logos should be distinctive, memorable, and clear. His designs were often seen as modernist because of his use of typography. Rand advised corporations that “good design was good business” (VanHemert). A unique, recognizable logo could bring more exposure to the company and distinguish itself from other companies. After working with Rand, many businesses were convinced that Rand’s expression was