Gail Anderson (graphic designer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gail Anderson
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Illustration of Gail Anderson by Creative Repute LLC
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| Born | 1962 (age 62–63) Bronx, New York, United States
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| Education | School of Visual Arts (BFA 1984) |
| Awards | AIGA medal (2008) |
Gail Anderson (born 1962) is an American graphic designer, writer, and educator. She is famous for her amazing typography (the art of arranging type), hand-lettering, and poster designs.
Contents
Meet Gail Anderson
Gail's Early Life and School
Gail Anderson's family moved to the Bronx, New York, from Jamaica. She was the first in her family born in America. She was also the first to go to college.
As a kid, Gail made pretend magazines about her favorite music groups, like the Jackson 5. Later, she started thinking about a job in "commercial art." This is now called graphic design.
Gail went to the School of Visual Arts and earned her degree in 1984. There, she learned from a famous designer named Paula Scher. Today, Gail teaches design at the same school. She also helps guide groups like the Type Directors Club.
Gail's Design Career
After college, Gail worked as a designer for different companies. She worked at Vintage Books and then for The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. From 1987 to 2002, she spent 15 years at Rolling Stone magazine. She started as a designer and became a senior art director.
In 2002, Gail became the creative director at SpotCo. This company makes advertisements for plays and shows. Her first project there was a subway poster for a play called Harlem Song. She also managed all the different fonts used at SpotCo.
Today, Gail is a partner at Anderson Newton Design. She is well-known for creating exciting ads for Broadway shows. Her designs have won many awards. You can even see her work in museums like the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. Her art is also kept at the Library of Congress.
Gail designed the 2013 Emancipation Proclamation US postage stamp. This was a very special project.
Gail has also written many books about graphic design with Steven Heller. Some of their books are about different types of fonts and how to use them. She also writes for magazines like Imprint and Uppercase.
Gail believes that designing with type should be fun. She says you need to be ready to try new things.
Gail's Teaching and Awards
Gail teaches graphic design at the School of Visual Arts. She works with college students and even high school students. She also helps lead the school's own design studio, Visual Arts Press.
In 2008, Gail received the AIGA medal. This is a very important award for graphic designers. She also won the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018. She was one of the first women of color to receive this honor.
Gail is a member of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee. This group helps decide which designs will be used for US postage stamps.
Gail's Design Style
Gail Anderson loves working with type and fonts. She is always looking for new ways to improve her skills. She uses many different kinds of type in her work. This includes old wood type and even objects she finds.
Gail combines her unique style with old advertising posters and vintage signs. All these things inspire her love for typography. Now, she often creates art and campaigns for Broadway shows. She also specializes in hand-lettering and designing packaging. She even wrote a book called "Hand-Drawn Packaging from Around the World." This book shows off her amazing talent and design skills.
Famous Works
Gail Anderson has worked on many different types of graphic design projects. Some of her most famous works are posters she created for the entertainment world. These include designs for the School of Visual Arts, Rolling Stone, and many theater groups, including Broadway.
Theater Posters
- Avenue Q (Broadway)
- Man of La Mancha (Broadway)
- Peer Gynt (Guthrie Theater)
Magazine Designs
- Alicia Keys (Rolling Stone)
- Axl Rose (Rolling Stone)
Other Posters
- SVA Subway Poster (School of Visual Arts)
- Wanted (Type Directors Club)
Books and Publications
Gail Anderson has written many books with Steven Heller. These books often explore different aspects of graphic design and typography.
Awards and Honors
- 2008 AIGA Lifetime Achievement Medal
- 2009 Richard Gangel Art Director Award
- 2018 Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards, Lifetime Achievement
