Interview with Sam Smidt by Becca Smidt.
Based on Posters accepted to the LA County Museum of Art’s Permanent Collection. Sam was full professor in Graphic Design at San Jose State University started teaching in 1965. He started the advertising agency Sam Smidt Associates in Palo Alto, CA.
We spoke about briefly this poster work that was very successful for him and his clients.
Font: Akzidenz-Grotesk
Title: White is Beautiful
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: The poster was done for a guest lecturer at SJSU.
Charles White was known as a graphic interpreter.
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1971
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: Every Tues. eve we featured a guest lecturer.
BS: Why did you choose a typographical
solution for this poster, and many others?
SS: A typographical solution seems most meaningful.
Title: Pilot Without a Face
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: John Battenberg Sculptor Exhibition / De Saisset Museum of Art
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1970
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: John was inspired by war scenes, especially pilots.
Font: Akzidenz-Grotesk
Title: Cheeze
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: The poster was done for an exhibition for portrait photographers at SJSU.
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1973
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: The typical word is ‘cheese’ is usedto get people to smile.
BS: Why did you choose a typographical solution?
SS: A typographical solution adds a sense of humor.
Font: Helvetica Neue / impact
Title: The Minimal Space
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: The Minimal Space Party Announcement for 2 years
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1983
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: This shows a list of famous people that are invited as a joke.
BS: Why did you choose a typographical solution?
SS: A typographical solution is conceptual and adds a sense of humor.
Font: Helvetica Regular
Title: Lou Harrison
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: The music of Lou Harrison
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1973
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: This flow of the music integrates with the announcement.
Font: Helvetica Regular
Title: Please Post
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: Western Art Director’s Club’s – The Miniature Art Auction
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1978
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: Show something that is small to make an impact
BS: Why did you choose a typographical solution?
SS: Why not make the announcement itself the small art?
To See more work by Sam Smidt go to: samsmidt.com
