Milton Glaser Posters celebrates six decades of work by the iconic graphic designer

The posters of Milton Glaser – more than 450 since 1965 – combine conceptual rigour and originality with a mastery of visual language and a high level of artistic expression.

All images © 2018 Milton Glaser. Elvis 1979. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24

All images © 2018 Milton Glaser. Elvis 1979. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24" Client: McGraw-Hill Book Company

Some, like his 1967 Bob Dylan poster for Columbia Records, are icons; others, like his series celebrating “I Love New York,” evoke his best-known work. In a new book, all are included, with Glaser’s own commentary describing his thought process and inspiration.

Described as a delight for the art lover, an education in visual expression and an entertaining journey through the cultural life of half a century, all rolled into a single compact, intense volume, the book celebrates this iconic designer's illustrious career so far.

Speaking of his originality, Milton said: "At the beginning of your life, you don’t know what originality is and you derive everything you do know from the existing understanding or history or things you’ve read. I don’t know at what point you become truly original, but the idea of expressing yourself is certainly fundamental to all the so-called creative work.

"I always wanted the work I did to reflect some aspect of myself, but always knew that it would take some time to find that aspect. At any rate, I have never been conscious that originality was my primary aim. What I really cared about was effectiveness."

Milton Glaser is America’s most celebrated graphic designer and an articulate spokesman for the ethical practice of design. He opened Milton Glaser, Inc., in 1974, and he continues to produce a prolific amount of work in many fields of design to this day.

Milton Glaser Posters by Milton Glaser is published by Abrams. Buy the book Abrams & Chronicle. Priced at £22.99.

Temple University Music Festival 1975. 4-color offset lithography, 35 x 24

Temple University Music Festival 1975. 4-color offset lithography, 35 x 24" Client: Temple University

The Gallery at Lincoln Center 1990. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24

The Gallery at Lincoln Center 1990. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24" Client: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Theatre for a New Audience: Twentieth Anniversary 1999. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24

Theatre for a New Audience: Twentieth Anniversary 1999. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24" Client: Theatre for a New Audience

Cooperstown Summer Music Festival 2014. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24

Cooperstown Summer Music Festival 2014. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24" Client: Cooperstown Music Festival

Milton Glaser 1984. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24

Milton Glaser 1984. 4-color offset lithography, 36 x 24" Client: Cooper Union

© 2018 Milton Glaser

© 2018 Milton Glaser

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