Louise Fili

Louise Fili

Photograph of Louise Fili
Born (1951-04-12)April 12, 1951
Orange, New Jersey
Nationality American
Education Skidmore College, School of Visual Arts
Known for Graphic design
Spouse(s) Steve Heller

Louise Fili (born in New Jersey on April 12, 1951) is an Italian-American graphic designer, who is "recognized for impeccable craftsmanship, elegant use of typography and designing with a passion and focus that is the envy of every designer".[1] As a AIGA 2014 medalist, Louise was always passionate about handwritten type. When she was young, she enjoy making her own letterforms, and taught herself calligraphy. Over the years, she has designed over 2,000 book jackets, "proving again and again that design doesn’t have to shout to be noticed".[2]

Education

Fili received a Bachelor of Science in studio art from Skidmore College in 1973. But she soon found her love for graphic design; leaving Skidmore for New York, she completed her final semester at the School of Visual Arts (SVA).

Career

Fili moved to New York City in 1973, interning at the Museum of Modern Art and finishing her degree at SVA. She worked as a senior designer for Herb Lubalin from 1976–78. Before this, she worked for Midge Mackenzie to get away from design work. But, working in Lublin’s studio exposed her to the use of typography, making her love design once more. Working there was an expressive tool and set the foundation for her later work.[3] Before working for Herb Lubalin, she worked on special book projects for Knopf.

From 1978–1989, she was the art director at Pantheon Books, where she started designing her own typeface. Everyone was using phototype, but she didn't enjoy it as much as her co-workers. After designing Marguerite Duras’ bestseller, The Lover, in 1984, she was given creative freedom, designing over 2,000 books during her tenure at the publisher.[3][4]

In 1989, she opened her own studio, Louise Fili Ltd, specializing in restaurant identities and food packaging. “There were a few things I did know when I started my studio. I knew I wanted to keep it small and I always have…And I really wanted to focus on the only three things that interest me: food, type, and all things Italian.” says Louise.[5] During the times, there weren't a lot of female run companies, so she knew naming the company after herself would be problematic. But she had a message for those who hated the company: "If you have a problem with my being female, then I don’t want you as a client.” [6] She has designed identities for many New York eateries such as Picholine, Artisanal, The Mermaid Inn, and the Harrison, and has created packaging for Sarabeth’s, Tate’s, and Bella Cucina. Her geometric, often Cubist-looking designs show an affinity to European modernism, in particular, the work of Lucian Bernhard, A.M. Cassandre, Jean Carlu and Italian posters of the 1930s.

In 2009, she redesigned the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for its 100th anniversary.

Fili has authored and co-authored over a dozen books, many of them with her husband, the design historian Steven Heller.

For over twenty years, she has taught at School of Visual Arts. She also teaches in the SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome every summer.

In 2004, Fili was inducted into the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame. She was a previous recipient of silver and gold medals. She has received three James Beard Award nominations, and since 1998 she is an elected member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale.

For over twenty years, Fili has taught at School of Visual Arts. She teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs as well as the SVA Masters Workshop in Venice and Rome every summer.

Books authored and co-authored

Magazine articles about Louise Fili

Online Articles

Honors

Permanent Collections

References

  1. ↑ "2014 AIGA Medalist: Louise Fili". AIGA | the professional association for design. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
  2. ↑ "2014 AIGA Medalist: Louise Fili". AIGA | the professional association for design. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
  3. 1 2 "Eye Magazine | Feature | Reputations: Louise Fili". www.eyemagazine.com. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
  4. ↑ "2014 AIGA Medalist: Louise Fili". AIGA | the professional association for design. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
  5. ↑ Discontent, The Great. "Louise Fili on The Great Discontent". The Great Discontent. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
  6. ↑ "2014 AIGA Medalist: Louise Fili". AIGA | the professional association for design. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
  7. ↑ "Louise Fili". AIGA. Retrieved May 3, 2014.

http://books.google.com/books?id=yLAYPQAACAAJ&dq=louise+fili&hl=en&ei=II9nTsOiLM3ngQfnkuXGDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA

http://books.google.com/books?id=cpCVV6oru2gC&printsec=frontcover&dq=louise+fili&hl=en&ei=II9nTsOiLM3ngQfnkuXGDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=6a9t_nrpAyUC&dq=louise+fili&source=gbs_book_similarbooks

http://books.google.com/books?id=EX6fxDG2Kl4C&pg=PA197&dq=louise+fili+%2B+articles&hl=en&ei=io9nTtiZHILVgQel55XLDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAjgU#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://www.a-g-i.org/385/archive-articles/agi-dialogue-one-does-not-have-to-shout-to-be-noticed.html

http://www.adcglobal.org/archive/hof/2004/?id=6

Further reading

External links

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