Paula Scher: The Iconic Designer Who Continues to Inspire.

In the world of design, few names are as influential and inspiring as Paula Scher. A graphic designer, painter, and educator, she has been at the forefront of the industry for over four decades with her innovative approach to typography and branding.

Scher’s journey began in Washington D.C., where she was born in 1948. From a young age, she loved art and drawing but never envisioned herself becoming a professional artist. Instead, she pursued a degree in literature from Tyler School of Art at Temple University before discovering her true passion for design.

After graduating college in 1970, Scher moved to New York City where she found work as a layout artist at Random House Publishing. It wasn’t long before her talent caught the attention of Pentagram – one of the most prestigious design firms in the world – who offered her a job.

At Pentagram, Scher quickly established herself as one of their most valuable designers with her bold use of typography and color. She worked on numerous high-profile projects such as designing packaging for Tiffany & Co., creating logos for Citibank and Microsoft Windows 8, and even designing the interior graphics for The Public Theater in New York City.

One aspect that sets Scher apart is her ability to seamlessly blend art with commercial design. Her signature style often incorporates hand-drawn elements alongside modern technology to create unique visuals that capture people’s attention.

Perhaps what makes Scher so special is how much thought goes into everything she creates. In an interview with Design Indaba, she explained: “Design is about problem-solving…It’s not just making something look pretty.” For Scher, every project must have meaning behind it; there needs to be a reason why each element was chosen.

Take her work on The Highline logo – an elevated park built on an old railway track above Manhattan’s West Side – which features handwritten letters spelling out its name painted onto rusted metal plates. The logo perfectly captures the essence of New York while also reflecting on the park’s industrial past.

Scher’s influence extends beyond her work as a designer; she is also an accomplished educator and mentor. She has taught at both the School of Visual Arts in New York City and Yale University, where she served as the first female principal in Pentagram’s history (a position she held for over 20 years).

Through her teaching, Scher has inspired countless designers to think outside the box and push boundaries within their work. Her philosophy centers around embracing mistakes and learning from them, which is why she encourages her students to take risks with their designs.

One example of her mentoring can be seen through her relationship with fellow designer Eddie Opara. In an interview with AIGA Eye on Design, Opara describes how Scher encouraged him to embrace his cultural background and use it in his work: “She told me that I needed to get more personal…to bring my heritage into what I was doing.” This led Opara to create designs incorporating African patterns and motifs that have become a signature part of his style.

Scher’s impact on graphic design cannot be overstated. Her ability to blend art with commercial design and bring meaning behind every project is truly inspirational. Through her work as a designer, educator, and mentor, Scher has left an indelible mark on the industry that will continue to inspire generations of creatives for decades to come.

In conclusion, Paula Scher is an icon in the world of graphic design who continues to inspire young designers through her innovative approach towards typography and branding. She believes that every element used should hold significance behind it rather than just simple aesthetics or looking pretty. Her bold use of hand-drawn elements alongside modern technology creates visuals that capture people’s attention instantly. As an educator, Paula encourages creativity by embracing mistakes rather than being afraid of them – this inspires students across all fields to take risks and push boundaries in their work. Her philosophy of bringing personal heritage into designs has inspired many designers like Eddie Opara to create designs that incorporate cultural patterns and motifs as a signature part of their style. Paula Scher’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of creatives for decades, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.