Ivan Chermayeff, renown designer and illustrator, died Saturday at age 85 in Manhattan. A champion of Modernism and bold color, Chermayeff and partner Tom Geismar launched what became known as Chermayeff & Geismar in 1957.
The designer was prolific, creating iconic logos and identities for Mobil, PBS, National Geographic, the NBC rainbow peacock, Chase Bank, and Showtime, but also delving into collage, children’s books, sculpture, and poster design.
From a 2014 Co.Design article, the designer said he always looked at work as play.
“I can’t sit still no matter where I am. Even if I’m lying on the beach in Cape Cod, I’m arranging pebbles in the sand. It’s always play. Play is a very good word for my attitude, even towards making a symbol that has to stand for a companyarriving at that symbol is still a form of play.”
Read more about the work and life of the late Ivan Chermayeff here.