BHM Spotlight: Art Sims (1954-Present)
Image source: https://laughtoncreatves.com/13-african-american-graphic-designers-part-2/
Hello, I hope your February has gotten off to a great start. For this Black History Month, I wanted to refresh and update my knowledge of Africans of the diaspora who've contributed to the graphic design world. This blog is dedicated to the graphic designer Art Sims.
From his first foray into the art world with the “Draw Me” test from magazines and TV of the 50’s and 60’s, Sim excelled. He attended Detroit’s Cass Technical High School, known for its dedication to the arts. From there Sims gained acceptance to the University of Michigan on a full scholarship. During the summer between his junior and senior years, Sims landed a job with Columbia Records to produce a series of album covers. After graduation, the sunshine state was calling his name and Sims headed to LA.
Once in LA, Sims scored a job with EMI from where he was ultimately let go for pursuing freelance work. He went on to work for CBS where he continued building his independent portfolio. This time when he was let go, he was prepared, and already had the office space for his firm, 11:24 Advertising Design.
After seeing one of Spike Lee’s films Sims knew he had to work with the director. He went on to design posters for Lee’s New Jack City, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, and most controversially, Bamboozled.
Ever the entrepreneur, Sims is developing his own greeting card line and writing screenplays, while teaching graphic design at a middle school for African Americans. The epitome of talent, drive, and ambition, Art Sims is decidedly an African American graphic designer you should know."
Info source: https://laughtoncreatves.com/13-african-american-graphic-designers-part-2/