An interview with Paul Rand

Jul 20, 2009read the 35 comments

In this three-part interview from 1991, Paul Rand talks about his iconic logos for IBM, UPS, ABC, Westinghouse and more. I happily gave it 30 minutes of my time with a cup of coffee.

Paul Rand interview: part one

Paul Rand interview: part two

Paul Rand interview: part three

The interviewer is graphic designer Miggs Burroughs, and it’s great to see that almost 20 years later he still sports the same hairstyle.

For more info on the late, world-renowned graphic designer, here’s a blog post from the Logo Design Love archives: All about Paul Rand.

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35 appreciated comments, click here to add one

Frank Stallone

“Perception is reality, reality is not reality, it’s only what people think. That’s one of the reasons it’s so difficult to be a designer.”, that was such a beautifully put quote by Paul Rand in the last video.

Jul 20th, 2009
Youssef Sarhan

Very surprised I never seen these before, thanks for the post!

Jul 20th, 2009
Rishi Sinha

Great interview!

Jul 20th, 2009
David Airey

Some great quotes in there, Frank. Nice pick.

Jul 20th, 2009
Erik at Logo Critiques

David,

I just finished up watching these. Really enjoyed them. Great Find!

I would love to see some of the logo brochures Paul talked about in the interview that he has used to present and sell his work to his clients. Anyone happen to know where I could find any examples? They mention one for Next in the last interview.

Jul 20th, 2009
mike

Any minute now, this will turn into a porno.

Jul 20th, 2009
Stephen Lee Ogden

Great interview. I appreciate Paul’s frankness and lack of fluffiness when talking about design. I really respect his understanding of design as an economic and social influence. I’ve always wanted to know how he got to the table to create the brands he’s now famous for. That seems to me to be the hardest step for a brand designer.

I was driving around town recently when a massive 4×4 truck stopped in front of me … there, plastered across the entire back windshield were 2 massive Cummins engine logos … made me smile. Thanks Paul.

Jul 20th, 2009
Darren Alawi

Absolutely amazing guy, he seems to understand the issues we all face and explain with an honesty we should all use!

I would of loved to have been able to see his desk or sketchpad, stuff of legend.

Jul 20th, 2009
David Jefferson

Saw these awhile ago. Really great.

@Erik at Logo Critiques: Examples can be found printed within his book “Design, Form, and Chaos”.

@Darren Alawi: There are some great images of his desk and some of his sketches within “Paul Rand: Modernist Designer” and Heller’s book “Paul Rand”, respectively.

Jul 20th, 2009
Brad C

I was introduced to Paul Rand while in school in the mid 90s. At the time I just didn’t get it. It took me years to get to the point where I could even start to appreciate his work. It just seem quaint and dated.

I think to really understand how amazing his work in you have to be able to step back and understand the context of the time he worked. There is a great Flickr set with a bunch of old marks from the 60s. You can really see how well balanced and elegantly executed his logos really are. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_carl/2342860542/ The ABC logo really separates itself when placed next to these others on a page.

Jul 20th, 2009
missfrolab

Graphic Design 101! Thanks for the post. Have his books but hadn’t seen him speak b4. Inspired for these next proofs I gotta send out!

Jul 21st, 2009
Will

I freaked when I saw in my google reader that you posted a Paul Rand interview, but the smooth 70s music clutched it definitely.

Jul 21st, 2009
Nick Wichman

I loved these videos. Paul Rand’s work is phenomenal and I love that he doesn’t make himself out to be something more than anyone else. Humility is something that a lot of designers lack. Awesome post.

@nickwichman

Jul 22nd, 2009
Paul

Great interview. Guess standards changed a little when interviewing people not to suck on candy in the intro.

Jul 23rd, 2009
Abdulrahhman Jaber

Thanks a lot for sharing this videos,
So excited to watch them :)

Jul 24th, 2009
TimC

Anyone else think that Miggs is quite possibly the worst interviewer ever? He looked more unprepared than a 6th-grader who forgot to do his math homework and he was fumbling with every single question. Let’s get it together, Burroughs, you’re only interviewing a legend. Paul was great, of course, and these vids were a great find. Thanks!

Aug 5th, 2009
PoeF

@TimC

Best question: “But a…..”

A stuffed animal sitting in that chair inplace of Miggs B would have brought out the same amazing responses from Paul. That just proves how great he actually is.

Aug 8th, 2009
Luke Lux

It’s an awesome post! Thanks to share it.

Sep 11th, 2009
clay caricofe

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Rand in Savannah after he spoke at my school. He was straight & to the point in everything he said and it shows in his work, It was a true honor.

Nov 30th, 2010
Karen Franklin

Hey Miggs, you did alright. These were awesome. So unfluffy and to the point Paul Rand has put into words what I have been trying to for years! Thank God he wasn’t an Andy Warhol! I love this guy. He really knows his stuff and I love learning about him. This will be my last paper and he will be my subject. Thanks for the great stuff you put together for all of us out here. A professional, down to business, what I want website. Love you guys!
Sincerely, K. Franklin

Jan 3rd, 2013