Designer: Steff Geissbuhler, American

Item: HL. 32

Title: Nouveau Salon des cent,
Hommage a Toulouse-Lautrec.

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The Designer - Steff Geissbuhler

Steff Geissbuhler is a leading designer of corporate identity graphics and programs. Among the many he has created in more than 25 years as partner and principal at Chermayeff & Geismar are those for Merck, Time Warner, NBC, National Public Radio, Telemundo, Union Pacific Corporation, Conrad Hotels, CARE International and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to creating corporate identification symbols, logotypes and programs, Mr. Geissbuhler is known for his illustrations and graphics that express the character of large organizations and meet their special needs. He designed the architectural graphics for the IBM building in New York City, a complete sign system for the University of Pennsylvania, and publications and printed materials for corporations such as Mobil, Philip Morris, and Morqan Stanley, as well as the Alwin Ailey Dance Theater. Other major assignments have included graphics for the Smithsonian Institution's Bicentennial exhibition; a travelling exhibit marking the American Chemical Society's centenary year; a new identity and centenary graphics for the New York Public Library; a new identity, marketing, promotional graphics, and sign systems for the New Victory Theater, off Times Square; and a series of posters promoting New York City's cultural institutions for the city's department of Cultural Affairs.

Mr. Geissbuhler's work has been widely recognized both in the United States and abroad, with awards from the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Art Directors Club of New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, the International Poster Biennales, and 'The World's Most Memorable Poster' competition in Paris. He received the U.S. Federal Achievement Design Award and was honoured twice with the First Swiss National Prize for Applied Art. A board member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and former president of the New York Chapter, he is a member of the International Executive Committee and the U.S. president of the prestigious Alliance Graphique Internationale.

Steff Geissbuhler received his graduate degree in graphic design from the School of Art and Design, Basle, Switzerland, in 1964. After working as a designer for the J.R. Geigy Pharmaceutical Company in Basle he joined the faculty of the Philadelphia College of Art where in 1973 he was appointed chairman of the Graphic Design Department.

In addition to teaching, Mr. Geissbuhler was an associate and designer with Murphy, Levy, Wurman, Architects and Urban Planners, in Philadelphia. He was also a member of GEE (Group for Environmental Education), and an associate with the design firm Anspach, Grossman, Portugal, Inc. in New York before joining Chermayeff & Geismar in 1975.