Dorothy and Otis: Designing the American Dream - Hardcover

Hathaway, Norman; Nadel, Dan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062262424 ISBN 13: 9780062262424

Publisher: Harper Design, 2014

Synopsis

A lavish, gorgeously designed full-color collection that showcases the designs of Dorothy and Otis Shepard, two groundbreaking giants of early twentieth-century American advertising.

Dorothy and Otis Shepard are the unsung heroes of early twentieth-century North American visual culture. Together, they were the first American graphic designers to work in multiple mediums and scales with equal skill and vision, and their work remains brilliant; yet their names are little known today.

Dorothy and Otis chronicles their story in detail for the first time. It explores the Shepards’ penchant for abstraction and modernism, and shows how the advent of billboard advertising inspired their creativity—large campaigns that matched the grandeur of their lifestyle. Throughout, it demonstrates how their influence touched all aspects of consumer culture—from collaborating on the packaging for Wrigley’s Gum and designing uniforms and logos for the Chicago Cubs to planning and promoting the resort island Catalina, where Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Clark Gable, and other celebrities frequented.

Dorothy and Otis illuminates their personal lives as well, from their origins and early years to the eventual dissolution of their marriage. As it brings to life these pioneering artists and their momentous partnership, it elevates them to their rightful place in popular culture and makes clear how their legendary work reflected and exemplified the American Dream.

About this title

Review:

“This book is well worth having for any Cubs fan, because it shows off in beautiful images a slice of the teams history, much of which has been forgotten in the modern era.” (SB Nation)

“...a fascinating tale...” (Wall Street Journal)

“...with its smart text and more than 300 vivid color images it’s a sweet treat for designers, illustrators, graphic historians, and pop culture enthusiasts in general.” (Print Magazine Online)

“...absorbing, moving, and lushly illustrated...” (Paris Review)

From the Back Cover:

Dorothy and Otis Shepard are the groundbreaking heroes of North American visual culture. They were the first American graphic designers to work in multiple mediums and scales, but despite the brilliance of their work, their names are little known today.

With 330 stunning, colorful images, Dorothy and Otis chronicles their story for the first time. It explores the Shepards' penchant for abstraction and modernism, and shows how the advent of billboard advertising inspired their creativity—their large campaigns matched the grandeur of their lifestyle. Throughout, this book demonstrates how their work influenced all aspects of consumer culture, from the styling of Wrigley's Gum and the Chicago Cubs to the design of Catalina Island, which Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and other celebrities frequented.

As Dorothy and Otis brings these artists to life, it elevates them to their rightful place in popular culture and makes clear how their work shaped the American dream.

With more than 330 full-color photographs throughout

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Design
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0062262424
• ISBN 13: 9780062262424
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256