Seymour Chwast (born August 18, 1931) is an American graphic designer, illustrator, and type designer.

Biography

Chwast was born in the Bronx, New York City and in 1948 graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn where he was introduced to graphic design by his art teacher, Leon Friend. That same year, he publishes his first illustration in “It’s All Yours” issue of Seventeen. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cooper Union in 1951. After graduation, he went on to hold several jobs, which included working on promotional art for the New York Times. He also worked at Esquire magazine, where he reunited with fellow Cooper Union alum Edward Sorel. After both of them were fired in 1954, they founded Push Pin Studios along with Milton Glaser. Reynold Ruffins would join them shortly thereafter. The bi-monthly publication The Push Pin Graphic, a product of their collaboration, was launched in 1957. Chwast is famous for his commercial artwork, which includes posters, food packaging, magazine covers, and publicity art. Often referred to as "the left-handed designer," Chwast's unique graphic design melded social commentary and a distinctive style of illustration which he refers to as his "Roxy Style". Today, he continues to work and is principal at Pushpin Group, Inc. in New York City. In 1970, he met Paula Scher during an interview she had with him at Pushpin while she was still a senior at Tyler School of Art. They married in 1973 and divorced five years later. They remarried in 1989. Chwast has two daughters from a previous relationship, Pamela and Eve. In 1985, he received the AIGA Medal. He is the font designer of Chwast Buffalo, Fofucha, Loose Caboose NF, and Weedy Beasties NF. He is a member of Alliance Graphique International (AGI).In 2023 he was awarded a National Design Award as a Design Visionary by the Smithsonian Design Museum in recognition of his work.

Fonts designed

Awards

Works