Deborah Sussman was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 26, 1931. She was known as an American designer and a pioneer in environmental graphic design. Sussman’s work was based on both graphic design and architectural and public spaces. She studied acting and painting at Bard College in Newyork. Sussman also earned her degree in graphic design at The Institute of Design in 1951. She took classes at the Art Student League and Black Mountain College in 1952. She also earns her doctorate of humane letters from Bard College in 1998.
Most of Sussman’s work emphasizes the connection between communities and cultures, also the building of the environment. Sussman’s started practicing her skills as she joins the office of Charles and Ray Eames. She worked with them for 10 years. Susman was an art director, designing print materials, graphics, toys, and exhibits. Her success was based on all the work she has done for the Eames brothers.
During 1968 and 1980, she had married Paul Prejza. Paul Prejza was an urban planner and architect. During these years both partner up to create an association and company. The company is called “ Sussman/Prejza & company”. She started to bring graphics into the third dimension, this was called later on as environmental graphics. Her work started first with architects on supergraphics, then moved on to signage in which she had called it, “ Graphic architecture”. Most of her artwork uses rainbow colors with vibrant hues. Also, her work had patterns and abstraction with geometric shapes in which broke boundaries of what a retail space means.
One of her famous artwork was for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic, which was in the Times Magazine. In this artwork, Sussman used sculptural iconography with balloons in vivid hues. Sussman also works on creating brochures for the Hollywood Bowl. Also created exterior graphics for Joseph Magnin stores. By this time she was well known for her amazing and outstanding job. Her job was able to turn buildings into urban events. Deborah is a former AIGA board member and also was the founder of AIGA Los Angeles.
Bibliography
- “Deborah Sussman.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 June 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah_Sussman.
- Biography by Alice Twemlow September 6. “Deborah Sussman.” AIGA, www.aiga.org/medalist-deborahsussman.
- “Deborah Sussman.” ADC, adcglobal.org/hall-of-fame/deborah-sussman/.
- Giovannini, Joseph. “Deborah Sussman Dies at 83; Dressed Buildings in Vivid Colors and Shapes.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 Aug. 2014, www.nytimes.com/2014/08/23/business/deborah-sussman-who-dressed-buildings-in-vivid-colors-and-shapes-dies-at-83.html.
- “Looking Back over the Life of Designer Deborah Sussman.” It’s Nice That, 22 Aug. 2014, www.itsnicethat.com/articles/the-list-deborah-sussman.
