Tom Geismar | Biography, Life, Work, Logos and Awards
Tom Geismar (1931 – Present)
Tom Geismar is a highly regarded American graphic designer and author who is probably best known for founding one of the world’s most prestigious design firms – Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv (formerly “Brownjohn, Chermayeff & Geismar”) – in 1957 with fellow designers Robert Brownjohn and Ivan Chermayeff.
Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey on July 15, 1931, Geismar received a master’s degree in graphic design from Yale University, School of Art and Architecture. He created and implemented major branding and design programs for various high-profile clients such as Mobil, Xerox, PBS, Chase Manhattan Bank, Univision, Rockefeller Center, Viacom, Best Products, New York University, New York Public Library, the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Truman Presidential Library. A few of his best-known books are Watching Words Move, Spiritually Moving: A Collection of American Folk Art Sculpture, Designing, TM: Trademarks Designed by Chermayeff & Geismar, and Identify: Basic Identity Design Solutions—The Iconic Trademarks of Chermayeff & Geismar.
Geismar has numerous awards and accolades, both national and international, to his credit and his work has been exhibited widely in various art galleries and museums throughout the world. In 1985, he received one of the first Presidential Design Awards for the standardized Signs and Symbols he created as head designer of the U.S. Department of Transportation Advisory Committee.
Tom Geismar Elsewhere:
– Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv: Official profile
– Tom Geismar interview
– Art Directors Club: 1998 Hall of Fame
