Art Sims facts for kids

Art Sims (born in 1954) is a famous African-American graphic designer and art director. He was born in Detroit, Michigan. Art Sims is well-known for creating amazing posters for classic African-American movies. These include Do the Right Thing (1989) and The Color Purple (1985).

He is the CEO and co-founder of 11:24 Design Advertising in Los Angeles. Throughout his career, Sims has worked hard to show off and promote African-American art and culture. His work is so important that it's part of the permanent collection at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This museum is located in the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Art Sims' Career Journey

Art Sims went to Cass Technical High School in Detroit. After that, he earned a scholarship to attend Michigan State University from 1971 to 1975.

While still in college, Sims started working as an art director at Columbia Records in Los Angeles. There, he designed many album covers for music artists. He continued working in Los Angeles as an art director at EMI for four years. Then, in 1981, Sims started his own company called 11:24 Design Advertising.

Designing Album Covers

Art Sims designed album covers for many popular musicians. Some of these include:

• Little River Band – Little River Band (1975)
• Bob Welch – French Kiss (1977)
• Minnie Riperton – Minnie (1979)
• George Thorogood and the Destroyers – Maverick (1985)

Movie Poster Masterpieces

Sims has worked with famous filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Singleton, and Spike Lee. He has designed posters for many well-known movies. These include:

• The Color Purple (1985)
• Do the Right Thing (1989)
• Malcolm X (1992)
• Dreamgirls (2006)
• Black Panther (2018)

He also designed posters for Jungle Fever (1991), New Jack City (1991), Love and Basketball (2000), and The Secret Life of Bees (2009).

Exhibitions and Recognition

Art Sims has been recognized by the AIGA. This is a professional organization for design. His work was part of a traveling exhibition called "Design Journeys." This show featured amazing designs by leading African American, Latino, and other minority designers.

In 2003, six of Sims' designs were chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This is the group that gives out the Oscars! His work was shown in an exhibition called "Close Up in Black: African American Film Posters." This exhibition was put together with the Smithsonian Institution.