William H. (Will) Bradley (1868–1962) is an underappreciated American design pioneer overshadowed by other Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts practitioners. But he was one of design’s earliest self-branded design entrepreneurs as author, editor, type designer and illustrator. His privately printed magazines and journals are precursors to the self-promotion journals that led to, among others, The Push Pin Graphic and Pentagram Papers. Although he has been written about in books and magazines, today’s generation has yet to embrace his talents. This Bradley website will offer some enlightenment.
For me this Typophiles festschrift for his 80th birthday is one of the invaluable small gems of my collection of his work. He died in 1962, just around the time Art Nouveau was returning as a retro style. I wonder how he felt about its resurgence.
The 2017 PRINT RDA: Enter Now!
Enter the most respected competition in graphic design—now open to both pros and students—for a chance to have your work published, win a pass to HOW Design Live, and more. 2017 Judges: Aaron Draplin / Jessica Hische / Pum Lefebure / Ellen Lupton / Eddie Opara / Paula Scher. Student work judges: PRINT editorial & creative director Debbie Millman and PRINT editor-in-chief Zachary Petit.
Draplin image: Leah Nash. Hische: Helena Price. Lupton: Michelle Qureshi. Scher: Ian Roberts.