Month: February 2020

Robert Wesley Wilson, also known as Wes Wilson, was a pioneer for psychedelic posters.

He is credited for launching the psychedelic art movement as well as for popularizing the psychedelic font, which emulated the trippy LSD experience with its shape which made it look like it was moving.

His work is associated with the 1960’s, a time that was defined by the peace movement and psychedelic era. Although he essentially created the style, there were many people who imitated his work and he became easily replaceable. Apparently, his posters were so coveted that they would be stolen not long after they were put up.

We can see elements of the Art Nouveau movement in his work. Wilson’s bold use of colour comes from his experience with LSD.

He recently passed away in January, but his legacy will be immortalized- his works have been put up in museums like the New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art.

Sources:

www.datebook.sfchronicle.com/art-exhibits/wes-wilson-creator-of-psychedelic-rock-posters-dies-at-82

www.wes-wilson.com/the-psychedelic-poster-art-of-wes-wilson-by-colin-brignall.html

Paul Rand was an American Advertising art director known for designing logos for major companies such as IBM, UPS and ABC.

Born in 1914, he grew up with an avid interest in art. His early job was designing product spreads and magazine covers before he moved on to designing corporate logos.

He was greatly inspired by Modernist and European design, and is one of the first American designers to utilize its style in his work. He looked to Paul Klee for inspiration, and we can see his influence in his early work. I find it so amazing how elements of modern design have come back and designs made by designers who were active in the 50’s and 60’s look as if they were made today. 

It’s fascinating to see companies such as Google and Apple have their logo changed over time, embracing the simple sans-serif, flat, limited colour palette that are characteristic of the Swiss style. While logo designs by Rand have changed very little as they are timeless.

Sources:

www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/paul-rand

www.artsy.net/artist/paul-rand