Paula Scher Closed Now

Early Life and Education

Paula Scher was born in Washington, D.C., in 1948. Growing up with a father who was a cartographer, she developed an early fascination with visual representation and typography. She attended the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1970. Her education emphasized both fine art and commercial design, laying the foundation for her future career.

Early Career in Record Cover Design

In the 1970s, Scher moved to New York City and began her career at CBS Records (later Columbia Records). She quickly rose to prominence as an art director, designing album covers for legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel. During this period, she designed over 150 album covers annually, earning four Grammy Award nominations. Her style blended bold typography, strong color contrasts, and playful imagery—elements that would define her work for decades.

Founding Her Own Studio

In 1984, Scher co-founded the design firm Koppel & Scher with fellow designer Terry Koppel. The studio specialized in branding, advertising, and packaging design, gaining high-profile clients in publishing and corporate sectors. This entrepreneurial period allowed her to experiment with large-scale branding projects, further refining her creative voice.

Pentagram Partnership

In 1991, Scher became the first female principal at Pentagram, the world-renowned design consultancy. At Pentagram, she has led major identity and branding projects for institutions like:

• The Public Theater (iconic typographic posters and branding)

• CitiBank (the famous logo created in a meeting sketch)

• MoMA (brand updates for the museum)

• Shake Shack (visual identity)

Her work for The Public Theater is particularly celebrated for revolutionizing the look of cultural institutions by introducing a vibrant, urban typographic style inspired by graffiti, pop culture, and constructivism.

Design Philosophy

Scher’s design philosophy centers on the power of typography as a form of expression. She often describes her work as “painting with type,” creating dynamic compositions that merge art and information. Her approach is characterized by:

• Bold typographic treatments

• Strong, clear visual hierarchies

• Integration of cultural and historical references

• Balancing simplicity with personality

Teaching and Speaking Engagements

Scher is also an influential educator, having taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York for over two decades. She has lectured worldwide, inspiring young designers to embrace both conceptual rigor and artistic experimentation. Her talks often emphasize the importance of persistence, adaptability, and risk-taking in creative careers.

Awards and Honors

Her career achievements have been widely recognized, including:

• AIGA Medal (2001)

• National Design Award for Communication Design (2013)

• Induction into the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame

• Honorary doctorates from multiple universities

Legacy and Ongoing Work

Paula Scher continues to shape the visual identity of global brands and cultural institutions. Her influence extends beyond design studios, as her work is featured in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. Through her projects, she has elevated the role of graphic design as both a commercial and artistic discipline