Dates: Tuesday, August 30 – Friday, October 7, 2016
Reception: Thursday, September 8, 6 – 8 p.m.
Drawing on his more than 40 years of graphic design experience, Professor Steve Longo, who directs the Graphic Design Program at County College of Morris (CCM), felt that with all of the new technology currently being taught it was time to rediscover graphic design’s creative roots. Toward that end, he has put together an exhibition featuring the work of top designers from around the country.
The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, takes place August 30 – October 7 in the Art and Design Gallery in the Learning Resource Center on CCM’s Randolph campus, 214 Center Grove Road. A reception, also free and open to the public, will be held on Thursday, September 8, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Desiring to present a comprehensive view of the best of graphic design, Longo says, “I opened up my iPhone to check and make sure all of my approximately 100 contacts were still active with phone and email.” Then he planned his marketing communications strategy.
His first three calls were to retired adman and internationally recognized painter Allan Gorman, then to the leading authority on personalized marketing Harvey Hirsch and finally to Young & Rubicam’s former vice-president Bernie Zlotnick. Together, the four creative minds developed the theme: “Generations of Genius: An Exhibition Highlighting the Best in Visual Communication from the 1960s through Today.”
The retrospective features the work of some of the most celebrated graphic designers including Milton Glaser, whose designs include the I♥NY logo and the psychedelic Bob Dylan poster; Seymour Chwast, who designed the first McDonald’s Happy Meal box; Luba Lukova, whose work is represented in the permanent collection of MoMA; Paul Jervis, whose accounts include Volkswagen, United Airlines, Xerox and Miller Lite; and Mike Quon, a graphic artist who popularized his lively brushstroke style in advertising, design and illustration, whose 103 year-old father and early Disney animator will also have his work on exhibit. Also taking part in the show are James Smith, whose firm has designed work for Earth Wise, Pfizer, Rubbermaid and Mattel; Andrea Mistretta, renowned Mardi Gras artist; Jon Weiman, who has illustrated more than 400 book covers; Dennis Dittrich, whose clients include Sports Illustrated, Smithsonian, Field and Stream, and the New York Times; and Ray Cruz, a celebrated custom letter designer, along with more than 40 other major icons from the design community. The exhibit will showcase commercials, posters, advertising, design, illustration, Internet marketing and 1:1 marketing.
The exhibit marks the second display curated by an academic program within the Department of Art and Design at CCM. Last year, the Fine Arts Program held an exhibition featuring the work of Charles Perkalis and Wayne Charles Roth, two notable Morris County fine artists. The Design and Photography programs will curate exhibits in 2017 and 2018.