April Greiman
Deepak Singh Ola
01-10-2024
April Greiman is an influential American designer and artist, born on March 22, 1948. She was one of the first to bring computer technology into graphic design, changing how people think about design and what it can do. Greiman prefers the title "transmedia artist," which shows her interest in working with different types of media and not just sticking to graphic design alone.
She was born in New York City and had a passion for art from a young age. Greiman studied graphic design, photography, and ceramics at the Kansas City Art Institute, graduating in 1970. Later, she went to Switzerland for postgraduate studies, where she learned from designers like Armin Hofmann and Wolfgang Weingart. Her time there helped her develop a love for the International Style and New Wave design.
After finishing her studies in Switzerland, Greiman taught at the Philadelphia College of Art and worked as a freelance designer in Philadelphia and New York City. She also collaborated with Emilio Ambasz, a curator at the Museum of Modern Art.
In 1976, Greiman moved to Los Angeles and founded her own studio, April Greiman, Inc. She soon became a key figure in the California New Wave design movement. Alongside Jayme Odgers, a designer and photographer, she created iconic works, including a well-known poster for CalArts in 1978. Their collaboration helped make New Wave design popular in the U.S., and they also worked together on poster designs for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
In 1982, Greiman was appointed Director of the Design Department at CalArts. There, she encouraged students to experiment with new technologies and push beyond traditional design limits. In 1986, she produced a special issue for *Design Quarterly*, called *Does It Make Sense?*, which was published by the Walker Art Center and MIT Press.
Greiman continued to break new ground throughout her career. In 1995, she designed a commemorative stamp for the U.S. Postal Service honoring Women's Suffrage. Later, in 2005, she established her own design consultancy, Made In Space, based in Los Angeles.
Over the years, Greiman has earned numerous awards, including a Gold Medal for lifetime achievement from the American Institute of Graphic Arts. She also holds four honorary doctorates. Today, she remains a pioneer in modern design, continuing to influence the industry with her innovative spirit.
April Greiman's Work :
