Design Philosophy

Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication

Great design strips away everything that doesn't serve the core message. Complexity is the enemy of communication.

Design is Problem-Solving, Not Self-Expression

Design exists to solve problems, not to showcase the designer's artistic sensibilities.

Systematic Thinking Creates Enduring Value

A logo is a flag, a signature, an escutcheon, a street sign. It does not sell, it identifies.

Newsletters

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App I love

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Retro
Memories

Retro

Photos with Friends
Yup
Social

Yup

Open Social All-In-One
Family
Crypto wallet

Family

Interacting with crypto has never been so simple
Teleprompter
Productivity

Teleprompter

A Simple yet Powerful Teleprompter app for iOS
Elytra
News

Elytra

Simple, private, and feature rich RSS feed reader for iOS
Flight Tracker +
Travel

Flight Tracker +

View Airlines & Airways 24/7

Aesthetic Goods

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EP–133 K.O. II
Tech

EP–133 K.O. II

Teenage Engineering
TX–6 Field Mixer
Tech

TX–6 Field Mixer

Teenage Engineering
OP-1 Portable Synthesizer
Tech

OP-1 Portable Synthesizer

Teenage Engineering
OB–4 Off-White™ Set
Tec

OB–4 Off-White™ Set

Teenage Engineering
CM–15
Tech

CM–15

Teenage Engineering
OD-11
Tech

OD-11

Teenage Engineering

Books Collection

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Creativity, Inc
Jason Fried

Creativity, Inc

From Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, comes an incisive book about creativity in business.
The Good Creative
Author Name

The Good Creative

Principles and strategies that will allow us to tap into our creative potential in our work lives, and in our personal lives.
Getting Real
Browneye Heading

Getting Real

From Basecamp creator, a good book which highlights the traditional rubbish and points out how to overcome them
The Power of Habit
James Clear

The Power of Habit

The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive.
Nir Far

Hooked

A four-step process embedded into the products of many successful companies to subtly encourage customer behavior
Bookit
Paul Rand

Bookit

A four-step process embedded into the products of many successful companies to subtly encourage customer behavior

Portfolio Showcase

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Book Cover Design

Showcase One

A 30% Productivity Boost and Accelerated Growth
Architect Experiment

Showcase Three

I needed something professional but not corporate. Naoto strikes that perfect balance. The resource sections help me showcase my expertise, and the dark mode is a nice touch for evening readers.
Surreal Projects

Showcase Two

I needed something professional but not corporate. Naoto strikes that perfect balance. The resource sections help me showcase my expertise, and the dark mode is a nice touch for evening readers.
Writing

Showcase Four

A 30% Productivity Boost and Accelerated Growth

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

Latest updates

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Rand is here. Clean, minimal, flexible Ghost theme for creators who want to focus on content.

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Next events

Dec
14
New Haven, CT

The Future of Graphic Design

Annual lecture series on systematic thinking and visual problem-solving.

Last, but not least

Build a flexible landing page with your own content right from Ghost admin, by creating a custom page where the content can be displayed.

Learn how

Most themes feel overdone and cluttered. So I spent 3 months figuring out how to build a theme that's clean, functional, and actually supports the writing instead of distracting from it.

Unlimited categories and design flexibility.
Adapt the theme to match your unique voice and content.

Perfect and extremely clean design experience focused.
Built for creators who value clarity over chaos.

Beautiful typography and unlimited reading experience.
Typography is the foundation of great design. Every element has been carefully considered to create the optimal reading experience across all devices and screen sizes.

Available colors and themes presets and in professional themes.
Switch seamlessly between light and dark modes. Because the best design adapts to both your mood and your environment.

No code. No complexity.

And no limits on what you can build.

Purchase now