How Did Herb Lubalin Get Into Graphic Design?

Herb Lubalin was an American graphic designer who is best known for his revolutionary typography and logo designs. He was born in New York City in 1918 and studied art and design at Cooper Union. After completing his studies, he went on to become a successful commercial artist, creating advertisements for magazines such as Look, McCall’s, and others.

In the 1960s, Lubalin began to experiment with typography and develop a more modern style of design. His work soon caught the attention of publishers, who were eager to capitalize on his unique approach. This led him to create several iconic publications such as U&lc (Upper and Lower Case) magazine and Avant Garde magazine, which showcased his innovative typeface designs.

Lubalin also created some of the most recognizable logos of the time such as CBS Records, ITC Avant Garde Gothic typeface, Quaker Oats’ “Q” logo, and the popular “I Love NY” campaign for New York State. These designs helped to revolutionize the world of graphic design by introducing a new level of sophistication and creativity.

Throughout his career, Lubalin was heavily influenced by Swiss Modernist style; however he had a unique approach that set him apart from his peers. He often used experimental typography to create dynamic compositions that were both visually appealing and conceptually sophisticated. By combining type with imagery in unexpected ways, Lubalin pushed the boundaries of what was possible in graphic design.

Lubalin’s legacy lives on today in many forms including books about his work, exhibitions featuring his designs, and typefaces that draw inspiration from his iconic style. He has been credited with inspiring a generation of designers who continue to push the boundaries of graphic design today.

Conclusion: Herb Lubalin’s entry into graphic design began when he completed art school at Cooper Union in New York City. After gaining recognition for his commercial artwork in magazines such as Look and McCall’s he began experimenting with typography which led him to create iconic publications such as U&lc magazine and Avant Garde magazine along with some recognizable logos including CBS Records’ “Q” logo and ITC Avant Garde Gothic typeface. His unique approach combined Swiss Modernist style with experimental typography which revolutionized what was possible in graphic design at the time while still inspiring future generations of designers.