Rand considered himself self-taught, although he took classes at Parsons, the New School and elsewhere. His foundation was European modernism in all its forms but he adapted them to a less structured, more pragmatic and relaxed American approach that has been dubbed the New York School. Rand’s tools included hyper-realism, photomontage and collage, Surrealistic symbols and creatures, visual puzzles and humor – always unexpected within a concise and well thought-through design. His solutions were always surprising and fresh, withstanding the test of time.

Rand wrote his seminal book Thoughts on Design in 1946, along with 3 other design texts, that has influenced generations of designers; in the Fifties into the Eighties his influence grew through his teaching career at Yale University. 

Paul Rand described the concept of quality as having "little to do with popular notions of beauty, taste, or style; and nothing to do with status, respectability, or luxury. It is revealed, rather, in an atmosphere of receptivity, propriety, and restraint." These values are what make Rand's design work so effective and timeless, with many of his corporate logos for IBM, ABC, Westinghouse, Cummins and Morningstar still in use many decades later. Rand is credited for elevating the role of the designer and the value of design in corporate culture, and more broadly, bringing a modern boldness and rigor to American design.

We are delighted to present a selection of Rand's iconic posters, advertisements and packaging below spanning 5 decades. Please feel free to call or email if you would like to discuss any of our items. We are glad to assist!