Alvin Lustig, USA

AGI member since 1955

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Alvin Lustig was ‘one of the most promising, gifted and sensitive designers of his generation’. These words were Henrion’s, written in his AGI Annals about young Lustig, who completely lost his sight before he died from diabetes. Lustig was educated in Los Angeles at the Community College and the Art Center School, followed by a brief period with Frank Lloyd Wright. By 1937, Alvin opened the first of the many design studios that he had during his brief career. In 1944 he left for New York to become the Director of Visual Research at Look Magazine. In 1946 he went back to LA. Soon he turned to architectural and interior design, did commissions for lighting fixtures, fabrics and furniture. In 1951 he moved back to New York, where he continued to produce 3D works. Josef Albers invited him to form a new graphic design department at Yale University. He worked for Girl Scouts of America, American Crayon, Industrial Design magazine. Lustig taught at the Art Center School and Yale University.

Design work by Alvin Lustig


    Alvin Lustig, USA (1955)

    Alvin Lustig was ‘one of the most promising, gifted and sensitive designers of his generation’. These words were FHK Henrion’s, written in his AGI Annals about young Lustig, who completely...

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    Alvin Lustig, USA (1955)

    Alvin Lustig was ‘one of the most promising, gifted and sensitive designers of his generation’. These words were Henrion’s, written in his AGI Annals about young Lustig, who completely lost his sight before he died from diabetes. Lustig was educated in Los Angeles at the Community College and the Art Center School, followed by a brief period with Frank Lloyd Wright. By 1937, Alvin opened the first of the many design studios that he had during his brief career. In 1944 he left for New York to become the Director of Visual Research at Look Magazine. In 1946 he went back to LA. Soon he turned to architectural and interior design, did commissions for lighting fixtures, fabrics and furniture. In 1951 he moved back to New York, where he continued to produce 3D works. Josef Albers invited him to form a new graphic design department at Yale University. He worked for Girl Scouts of America, American Crayon, Industrial Design magazine. Lustig taught at the Art Center School and Yale University.