Ivan Chermayeff

Ivan Chermayeff (1932 - 2017) was an American artist and graphic designer who is considered as one of the most iconic figures in graphic design history. Along with his long time partner Tom Geismar, he created identities of global brands, institutions, and even cities. Chermayeff was born into a creative family. He was the son of Serge Chermayeff, a Russian-born British architect. His upbringing was steeped in art and design, which set the foundation for his future career.

Chermayeff graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1950, and pursued further studies at Harvard, the Institute of Design (also known as the New Bauhaus), and finally the Yale School of Arts and Architecture, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1955. During his time at Yale, Chermayeff was exposed to influential modernist ideas that deeply impacted his approach to design. He briefly apprenticed with Alvin Lustig, a pioneering figure in American graphic design, before starting his career as Assistant Art Director at CBS, where he worked on record cover designs.

In 1956, Chermayeff co-founded Brownjohn, Chermayeff & Geismar Associates, alongside Robert Brownjohn and Tom Geismar, his former schoolmate. Brownjohn left in 1959 and the firm became Chermayeff & Geismar Inc. One of their earliest and most revolutionary work was the development of abstract trademark for the Chase Bank logo in 1960, a design that remains in use today.

The firm's client include some of the most prestigious names across industries. They served major companies and institutions such as Armani, Barneys, Hearst, MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), National Geographic, NBC, PBS, and Rockefeller. In 2013, the firm evolved into Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, with Sagi Haviv joining as a new partner.

Beyond graphic design, Ivan Chermayeff was also a gifted illustrator and collagist. His artworks often balanced rationality and imagination, combining abstract geometric shapes with figurative images. This blend of logic and creativity is evident in his graphic pieces, showcasing his versatility and depth as an artist.

Ivan Chermayeff's extraordinary contributions to graphic design were recognized with numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Industrial Art Medal from the American Institute of Architects in 1967, the AIGA Gold Medal in 1979, the First International Design Award from the Japan Design Foundation in 1983, and the National Design Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2014. He also received the Philadelphia College of Art Gold Medal in 1971, the President’s Fellow Award from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1981, the Yale Arts Medal in 1985, the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal in 2002, and Tokyo Type Directors Club Award in 2004.

Ivan Chermayeff passed away on 3 December, 2017. His influence on the world of graphic design remains profound and his work continue to inspire new generations of designers.