Seymour Chwast (born August 18, 1931) is an American graphic designer, illustrator, and type designer.
Biography
Chwast was born in the Bronx, New York City He joined the school's elite art squad (alumni include Gene Federico and Alex Steinweiss). A portfolio was required for entry; he and the club would create on demand including posters, banners, and other materials for school events and social causes. That same year, he published his first illustration (a drawing of himself dancing at a party) in the “It’s All Yours” issue of Seventeen. After both of them were fired in 1954, they founded Push Pin Studios along with Milton Glaser. Reynold Ruffins would join them shortly thereafter. The bi-monthly publication The Push Pin Graphic, a product of their collaboration, was launched in 1957. Often referred to as "the left-handed designer," Chwast's unique graphic design melded social commentary and a distinctive style of illustration which he refers to as his "Roxy Style". in New York City.
In 1970, he met Paula Scher during an interview she had with him at Pushpin while she was still a senior at Tyler School of Art. They married in 1973 and divorced five years later. They remarried in 1989. Chwast has two daughters from a previous relationship, Pamela and Eve. He is the font designer of Chwast Buffalo, Fofucha, Loose Caboose NF, and Weedy Beasties NF. He is a member of Alliance Graphique International (AGI).In 2023 he was awarded a National Design Award as a Design Visionary by the Smithsonian Design Museum in recognition of his work.
The newest show: "Yes, No, and WOW: The Push Pin Studios Revolution" is the latest retrospective of the group's work spanning the 50s into the 21st Century. It opened October 5, running through December 30, 2025 at The Church in Sag Harbor New York. This exhibit includes posters, books, vinyl record covers, and other objects from the six member artists: Seymour Chwast, Paul Davis, Milton Glaser, James McMullan, Reynold Ruffins and Ed Sorel.
Fonts designed
- Artone (1964, Photo Lettering Inc.)
- Blimp (1970, Photo Lettering Inc.)
- 1983 – Art Directors Hall of Fame
- 1985 – American Institute of Graphic Arts Medal
- 1992 – Honorary Doctorate, Parson's School of Design
- 1997 – Masters Series, School of Visual Arts
- 2011 – Inkpot Award
- 2023 – National Design Award, Cooper Hewitt Design Museum