Graphic designer Jacqueline Casey (1927–1992) is best known for the posters she created for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Graphic designer Jacqueline Casey (1927–1992) is best known for the posters she created for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Jacqueline Casey. © 2019 MIT Museum.
Jacqueline Casey. © 2019 MIT Museum.
Strongly influenced by Swiss designers Karl Gerstner and Josef Müller-Brockmann, Casey was the foremost practitioner of the International Style in the US. She often created striking elemental imagery, using letterforms to turn her works into messages. “My job is to stop anyone I can with an arresting or puzzling image, and entice the viewer to read the message in small type and above all to attend the exhibition,” she said.
Strongly influenced by Swiss designers Karl Gerstner and Josef Müller-Brockmann, Casey was the foremost practitioner of the International Style in the US. She often created striking elemental imagery, using letterforms to turn her works into messages. “My job is to stop anyone I can with an arresting or puzzling image, and entice the viewer to read the message in small type and above all to attend the exhibition,” she said.
Six Artists poster, 1970. Design: Jacqueline Casey. © 2019 MIT Museum.
Six Artists poster, 1970. Design: Jacqueline Casey. © 2019 MIT Museum.
As a child, Casey wanted to become an artist. Her parents, however, did not support this desire. When Casey went to high school, they urged her to enrol in a bookkeeping and administration program. After graduation, Casey struggled to find a design job. For a while, she worked in a department store at the cash register, but later resigned and travelled to Europe. After returning, she felt ready to get back into the arts and focus on design. In 1955, Casey was recruited by Muriel Cooper to work in the Office of Publications at MIT. In 1972, Casey headed the Office of Publications at MIT.
As a child, Casey wanted to become an artist. Her parents, however, did not support this desire. When Casey went to high school, they urged her to enrol in a bookkeeping and administration program. After graduation, Casey struggled to find a design job. For a while, she worked in a department store at the cash register, but later resigned and travelled to Europe. After returning, she felt ready to get back into the arts and focus on design. In 1955, Casey was recruited by Muriel Cooper to work in the Office of Publications at MIT. In 1972, Casey headed the Office of Publications at MIT.
Miscellaneous Motions of Kinetic Sculpture exhibition poster, 1967. Design: Jacqueline Casey. © MIT Committee of the Visual Arts.
Miscellaneous Motions of Kinetic Sculpture exhibition poster, 1967. Design: Jacqueline Casey. © MIT Committee of the Visual Arts.
Women in Science and Engineering poster, 1964. Design: Jacqueline Casey. © 2019 MIT Museum.
Women in Science and Engineering poster, 1964. Design: Jacqueline Casey. © 2019 MIT Museum.