Switched from an engineering interest to advertising and ultimately graphic design. First job in Benton & Bowles ad agency and later D’Arcy, with night classes at the School of Visual Arts. Later became Corporate Design director for American Airlines. Last job was with Geigy Pharmaceutical Co. as both advertising art director and designer. In 1968 started Pedersen Design Inc. Clients included: American Airlines, Bell Labs, VW, Hopper Papers, Dow Jones & Co. In 1976 founded a magazine on boating called Nautical Quarterly. In 1986 purchased Graphis Press from Walter Herdeg. Has taught at SVA and the Syracuse University graduate design programme. Past president of the Type Directors Club, and served multiple terms on the Boards of Directors for the Art Directors Club and the AIGA. Elected into the Art Directors Hall of Fame in 1997, and in 2003 was the recipient of the AIGA Gold Medal.