The Trademarks of Paul Rand
Comprehensive examination of corporate identity development from concept to application. Featured detailed case studies of major projects including IBM, Westinghouse, and ABC.
On Writing
Good writing, like good design, appears effortless but requires rigorous discipline.
Design Form and Chaos →
My final major work on design theory. Addressed the relationship between creativity and discipline, chaos and order, in visual communication.
Thoughts on Design →
My first book established the philosophical foundation for modern graphic design practice. Explored the relationship between form, function, and commercial communication.
Paul Rand: A Designer's Art →
Comprehensive overview of my work from 1930-1985. Case studies in systematic thinking, visual problem-solving, and the business impact of design excellence.
From Lascaux to Brooklyn →
Autobiographical reflection on six decades in design. From Brooklyn art student to corporate America's most trusted visual voice—lessons learned along the way.
I Know a Lot of Things →
Applied systematic design principles to children's literature. Simple geometric illustrations supporting clear narrative structure.
Styleguide
Styleguide
Why Footnote systems separate amateur blogs from authoritative publishing →
Footnotes
Footnotes serve as essential tools in academic and professional writing, providing valuable supplementary information without disrupting the main text.
Health
Health
The systematic thinking behind the IBM eight-bar logo that saved a corporation →
When IBM approached me in 1972, they needed more than a new logo—they needed a new identity. The eight-bar mark wasn't just aesthetic; it was strategic communication that unified a sprawling technology company under one clear visual voice.
Science
Science
Why I turned down a million-dollar logo project (and what it taught me about creative integrity) →
Steven Jobs wanted to pay me a million dollars for a logo, but only if I presented multiple options. I said no. Great design isn't about choice—it's about the right choice. Here's why creative conviction matters more than client comfort.
Featured
Business
Business
Featured
From Esquire to UPS: how editorial design principles shaped corporate identity →
My years at Esquire magazine taught me that every design element must serve the content's purpose. When I moved into corporate work, I brought that same editorial discipline to brand identity—with revolutionary results.
Food
Food
The geometric foundation of enduring design: why simple systems outlast complex trends →
Trends die. Systems endure. The mathematical principles behind my most successful marks—from ABC to Westinghouse—prove that geometric clarity creates timeless recognition.
Food
Food
Why most corporate rebrands fail (and how to build identity that lasts decades) →
Companies spend millions on rebrands that last two years. Meanwhile, the marks I created in the 1960s still define billion-dollar corporations. Here's the difference between fashion and function.