I’m Paul Rand. I live in New York City, where I design the future

I transformed graphic design from decorative craft into strategic business discipline.

Born Peretz Rosenbaum in Brooklyn, I became America's most influential corporate designer. My identities for IBM, UPS, ABC, and Westinghouse remain powerful decades later.

I introduced geometric simplicity and systematic thinking to corporate identity. The eight-bar IBM logo exemplifies my philosophy—instant recognition through mathematical precision.

For thirty years, I taught at Yale University. My book Thoughts on Design established the theoretical foundation for modern graphic design education.

"Don't try to be original, just try to be good." This philosophy elevated commercial art to strategic communication.

I proved design excellence drives business results through clarity, simplicity, and systematic thinking.

Career Timeline

Work Experience

1932-1941

Started career at age 18, working for various NYC agencies

1936

Art Director at Esquire-Coronet magazines

1941-1954

Art Director at William H. Weintraub advertising agency

1952

Founded design consultancy, began corporate identity work

1956-1962

Designed children's books including I Know a Lot of Things

1972 - 1993 Golden Era

Designed iconic IBM eight-bar logo and comprehensive identity system

Key Publications Timeline

1947

Thoughts on Design

1956

I Know a Lot of Things (children's book)

1985

Paul Rand: A Designer's Art

1993

Design Form and Chaos

What people say

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“Paul Rand was one of the most influential graphic designers of our time. His work defined corporate America.”

Michael Bierut, Partner at Pentagram

“Rand taught us that design isn't decoration—it's problem-solving made visible. Everything we do today builds on his foundation.”

Jessica Helfand, Designer and Yale Professor

"Paul was the Einstein of graphic design. He proved that visual communication could be both beautiful and strategic."

Milton Glaser, Designer of I ❤ NY logo

"Working with Paul Rand transformed our entire approach to brand identity. He didn't just design our logo—he designed our corporate strategy."

Former IBM Executive

"Rand understood that a logo isn't just a symbol—it's a business asset. His work for UPS created value that lasted decades."

Brand Strategy Consultant

"Paul taught us that consistency isn't boring—it's powerful. His systematic thinking changed how we approached every business decision."

Corporate Communications Director

"Rand didn't teach students how to make things look like his work. He taught them how to think. That's the mark of a true educator."

Former Yale Student

"Paul Rand transformed design education from craft instruction to intellectual discipline. He made us all better thinkers."

Design School Dean

"His influence extends far beyond graphic design. Rand taught us that systematic thinking applies to every creative problem."

Design Theorist and Author

Next events

Dec
14
New Haven, CT

The Future of Graphic Design

Annual lecture series on systematic thinking and visual problem-solving.
I’m Paul Rand. I live in New York City, where I design the future