Chermayeff & Geismar
New York design firm that created some of the best-known American corporate identities.
Ivan Chermayeff and Tom Geismar started the firm with Robert Brownjohn, who soon left. They worked with simple, geometric marks and clear colours, in the spirit of modernism.
The firm created identities for banks, oil companies, broadcasters and museums and designed exhibitions and posters. Its marks have often survived for decades, since they rest on simple forms that last.
Simple geometric marks in one or two colours and a clear sans serif.
Posters with cut-paper shapes and collage, which Chermayeff liked to use.