In the decades since Alvin Lustig (1915–1955) died, design has evolved as practice and art in ways he would have liked, particularly as a force for change. The rediscovery of Lustig by the design world also proves that the kind of holistic thinking he proffered back in the ’40s and ’50s is indeed current today… His graphic design may not be as revelatory as it was when first introduced, but it still appears fresh even in this digital, overly ornamented world. Yet most important, his fundamental philosophy, that design is a total practice, integrated and interdependent, that gives both pleasure and purpose to society and culture, is the underlying rationale for much of the practice today. In this sense, Lustig laid the foundation for what designers do today. His touch of genius has blossomed into total genius.

Excerpt from the Epilogue of Born Modern: The Life and Design of Alvin Lustig
by Steven Heller and Elaine Lustig Cohen, Chronicle Books, 2010

The Book Jackets of Alvin Lustig

James Laughlin, New Directions
Print magazine, 1956

Philip Johnson Introduction

The Collected Writings of Alvin Lustig, 1958

Born Modern

Steven Heller
Eye magazine, 1993

Down the Pigeonhole

Steven Heller
Print magazine, 2004

Photos & Letters

Bibliography

Writings by Alvin Lustig

Archives & Research

Book Jackets

Graphic Design

Architecture & Interiors