Women in Graphic Design

March is Women’s History Month, and to honour this important month, we have been inspired to celebrate a couple of the women who paved the way in graphic design. 

Graphic design, as an art form and industry, has been shaped by the contributions of numerous talented people throughout history. But while men have traditionally dominated the sector, so many iconic women have played pivotal roles in shaping the industry, paving the way and leaving their mark on design history. These are just some of the incredible women who have owned this industry, and who have inspired girls and women to pursue their passions and dreams in graphic design.

Lillian Vernon 

Lillian Vernon was an American business woman and trailblazer in the world of graphic design and entrepreneurship. In 1951, she founded the Lillian Vernon Corporation, which became one of the largest mail order catalog companies in the United States. She was known for her innovative designs and keen eye for marketing, after investing $2000 of her wedding money in placing her first advert in Seventeen magazine. Lillian revolutionised the direct mail industry, and proved that women could excel in both design and business.

Cipe Pineles 

Cipe Pineles was an Austrian graphic designer and art director, who became the first female art director at a major American magazine when she joined Glamour magazine in 1942. Throughout her career, she produced groundbreaking work that influenced generations of both male and female designers. Her bold, imaginative approach to design helped redefine the visual language of magazines and advertising. Her career in design lasted nearly 60 years, also working for publications such as Vogue, Seventeen and Charm among many others.

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Paula Scher

It is impossible to talk about graphic design without talking about Paula Scher. Paula Scher is an icon in the world of graphic design, who is renowned for her bold typography, vibrant color palettes, and eclectic style. As a partner at Pentagram, one of the world's leading and most prestigious design companies, she has created iconic logos, posters, and branding campaigns for clients ranging from Microsoft to Coca Cola and The New York City Ballet. Her creativity and willingness to push boundaries have made her a role model for aspiring designers around the world.

Pentagram

Irma Boom

Irma Boom is a Dutch graphic designer, who is celebrated for her innovative approach to book design, pushing the boundaries of traditional print media. She has been described as the Queen of Books. Her experimental use of typography, layout, and materials has earned her numerous awards, including the prestigious Gutenberg Prize. Her work is very unique, and shows that books can be both functional objects and works of art. According to Irma, she sees her books as architecture, and makes her books a piece of art in their own right.

Debbie Millman

Debbie Millman is what can only be described as a creative force (and genius if you ask us!), known for her work as a designer, author, educator, and host of the popular podcast ‘Design Matters’. Throughout her career, Debbie has encouraged diversity and inclusion in the design community, using her platform to give a voice to underrepresented people and advocate for positive change. She has worked on logos and brand identities for many brands, including Burger King, Star Wars and Hershey’s. Her illustrations have appeared in many publications such as the New York Times, and even has a case study taught about her at Harvard Business School.

In reality, there are so many incredibly iconic and creative women in graphic designer that we could talk about, including Juliette Van Rhyn, Carolyn Davidson, Jessica Walsh, Leta Sobierajski, Gail Anderson, Jane Davis Doggett, Susan Kare, Sarah Borris, Supriya Bhonsle, among many, many others. The work of these remarkable women have left a unique mark on the graphic design industry, and has paved the way for future generations of artists to come after them.

As we celebrate Women's History Month and beyond, we are so excited to see future diversity and inclusion in the world of graphic design.

Written by Charlene Payne.