her significant contribution to design is a belief in the tradition of typography and a joy in using it in a contemporary vernacular. —drew hodges, founder of spotco advertising agency
Image form Gail Anderson’s collection of New York city type.
early years
Anderson’s parents emigrated to New York from Jamaica. She was a first-generation American, and first-generation college-educated in her family. As a child, she crafted magazines for pop music bands with kissable centerfolds. Her formal artistic training began with weekend drawing classes at Pratt University and she later enrolled at the School of Visual Arts in NY, where she was taught by Paula Scher. After college, the young designer worked at Vintage Books publishing house and The Boston Globe’s Sunday magazine.
Fragments of a map for the Senior Library of the School of Visual Arts, New York. Design: Gail Anderson, Jeff Rogers.
Fragment of video promo for the School of Visual Arts, New York. Design: Gail Anderson, Joe Newton.
anderson has a special gift for assigning illustration and has been a stalwart advocate of illustrators, both upcoming and established. with her keen eye for fresh talent, she nurtured a whole generation of illustrators, while staying loyal to the greats as well. —fred woodward
Image form Gail Anderson’s Type in the Country collection.
playing with type at rolling stone
For the next 14 years, Anderson served at Rolling Stone as a designer, deputy art director, and then senior art director under AIGA medalist Fred Woodward. She was 28 when a Rolling Stone spread featuring her hand-drawn letters and thoughtful composition was recognized by AIGA in their Under 30 competition. Her letterforms would go on to influence a generation of designers.
from a design perspective, i couldn’t help but be consumed by the mega-brand bombardment that screams out at you on all corners. from the bright neon signs and huge billboard advertisements to the plethora of product packaging, confectionery and magazine covers that adorn the news-stands. —gail anderson about her first memories of living in new york