Georg Olden (graphic designer) facts for kids

George Elliott Olden (born November 13, 1920 – died February 25, 1975) was an American graphic designer. He worked in television and advertising, creating memorable visuals for many popular shows. Olden was a pioneer, being one of the first African-Americans to work in television design. He also made history by designing a postage stamp. His work earned him several awards, and he was recognized as one of the top designers in the United States.

Early Life and Education

George Elliot Olden was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on November 13, 1920. His grandfather had been a slave, and his father was a Baptist preacher. Soon after George was born, his family moved to Washington D.C.. There, his father became a minister at Plymouth Congregational Church.

As a young man, George attended Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. This was one of the first public high schools in the U.S. for African American students. After high school, he went on to study at Virginia State College.

A Career in Design

Olden left college after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He started working as a graphic designer for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). This was a government agency during World War II. While at the OSS, Olden drew cartoons for magazines like The New Yorker and Esquire. He also designed posters to encourage people to save resources during the war.

His work at the OSS helped him meet important artists and writers. These connections opened doors for him after the war ended in 1945. The head of the OSS communications, Colonel Lawrence W. Lowman, later became a Vice President at CBS television. He hired Olden to work at CBS.

Designing for Television

From 1945 to 1960, Olden worked at CBS. He was one of the first African-Americans to work in television. When he started, there were only about 16,000 television sets in the whole country. By the time he left, there were 85 million!

Olden started as a one-man team, designing for six shows a week. Eventually, he led a team of 14 people who designed for 60 weekly shows. He helped create the look for famous shows like Gunsmoke, I Love Lucy, and Lassie. He also designed the "truth teller" icon used on the show "To Tell the Truth". Olden loved using modern art in TV and encouraged other artists to work in television.

Moving to Advertising

In 1960, Olden moved into the world of advertising. He designed the famous Clio Award, which honors excellence in advertising. He also won seven Clio Awards himself! He worked for big advertising companies like BBDO and McCann Erickson.

Georg Olden's 1963 Emancipation Proclamation commemorative stamp designed for the United States Postal Service.

In 1963, Georg Olden made history. He became the first African-American to design a postage stamp for the United States Postal Service. The stamp celebrated 100 years since the Emancipation Proclamation. This important declaration freed many enslaved people. Olden's design was simple: a broken chain in black on a blue background. He even attended a White House ceremony where President John F. Kennedy introduced the stamp.

Personal Life and Legacy

Olden married Courtenaye MacBeth in 1941. They later divorced in 1966. He then married Terri Phillips Baker. Olden was the father of two sons, Marc Olden and Georg Olden.

Olden worked with the National Urban League, an organization that helps African Americans. He even designed their symbol. He believed that talent was the most important thing for success in the design industry. In 1970, Olden faced challenges in his career. He believed he was treated unfairly because of his race. He took action to fight for fairness and equal opportunities for himself and other black designers.

Awards and Recognition

Georg Olden received many awards for his amazing work:

• Art Directors Club of New York medal, 1953
• Art Directors Club of New York medal, 1956
• Cannes Film Festival, Advertising prize, 1967
• Seven Clio Awards, 1962-1970
• AIGA Medal, 2007