Michael S. Bierut

Michael Bierut studied graphic design at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, graduating summa cum laude in 1980. Prior to joining Pentagram in 1990 as a partner in the firm's New York office, he worked for ten years at Vignelli Associates, ultimately as vice-president of graphic design.

At Pentagram, Michael has created identities, packaging, publications and environments for clients that have included the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Harley-Davidson, Saks Fifth Avenue, Princeton University, The New York Times and the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation.

His work has ranged from brand standards for the New York Jets football team, to signage for a new town in central Florida, to serving as design consultant to United Airlines. Michael was president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) from 1998 to 2001. He was elected to the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame in 2003 and received the AIGA Medal in 2006. Michael is a senior critic in graphic design at the Yale School of Art, co-editor of the anthology series Looking Closer: Critical Writings on Graphic Design, and a co-founder of the weblog DesignObserver.com.