Spontaneous Inspiration

As Raymond Loewy once said “It all must start with an inspired, spontaneous idea”. Whether inspiration comes directly or indirectly from another designers work, all great pieces of work have come from inspiration. Therefore, the graphic designer who inspires me most is Raymond Loewy. Who is often tag lined as “The Man Who Shaped America”, “The Father of Streamlining”, or “The Father of Industrial Design”. Since, he is undoubtedly the most powerful industrial designer of 20th century. Not only am I inspired by his talent, but I am also inspired by his overall career. Since, he literally overturned the industry through his incredible work. Raymond Loewy’s worked as a fashion illustrator, before he began to focus on the field of industrial design. Which, he immediately revolutionized with his work. Since, he worked as a consultant for more than 200 companies and created product designs for various things from cigarette packs and refrigerators, to cars and space crafts. For example, Raymond Loewy‘s, best known pieces of work are the Lucky strike cigarette packaging, the grey hound bus and shell logo that are still in use today. In fact, the shell logo has become such a recognizable icon; the name has been dropped from all advertisements. While, the lucky strike packaging was a bet between himself and George Washington Hill. The president wagered him $50,000 that he could not improve the appearance of the already familiar green and red Lucky Strike cigarette package. Yet, Loewy accepted and won the challenge. Starting, by changing the packages green background to white, which reduced printing costs. Then he placed the red Lucky Strike target on both sides of the package, increasing product visibility and product sales. Raymond Loewy had a gift for design and how to use it to promote and sell products and this was example was proof of that. Therefore, by 1951 Loewy could state, “The average person, leading a normal life, whether in the country, a village, a city, or a metropolis, is bound to be in daily contact with some of the things, services, or structures in which R.L.A [Raymond Loewy Associates] was a party during the design or planning stage.” Since, Raymond Loewy’s work was so well known back then and is still so popular now, it is hard to say one has not been affected by his. Raymond Loewy design work is a great inspiration for all graphic designers. “The main goal is not to complicate the already difficult life of the consumer.” -Raymond Loewy “I sought excitement and, taking chances, I was all ready to fail in order to achieve something large.” - Raymond Loewy Resources: Official Site of Raymond Loewy. Web. 02 Nov. 2012. . “Raymond Loewy.” Art.Net (also Known as “Art on the Net”). Web. 02 Nov. 2012. . “Raymond Loewy Biography.” Raymond Loewy Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2012. . “The Children of Raymond Loewy (Designophy - Article, www.designophy.com).” Designophy : Design Knowledge, Latest Design News, Upcoming Competitions, Design Events and more.... N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2012. . “Lucky Strike Cigarettes | Tobacco Tin Signs | Tin Signs | American Heritage Tin Sign Factory | Tin Signs Americana | Soda Tin Sign | Automotive Tin Signs | Vintage Tin Sign.” Tin Signs | American Heritage Tin Sign Factory | Tin Signs Americana | Soda Tin Sign | Automotive Tin Signs | Vintage Tin Sign. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2012. . “Greyhound - Bullhead City, Arizona .” Bullhead City, Arizona . N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2012. .