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Louis Danziger papers

 Collection — Box: 1-12, Map case: 2.9
Identifier: CSC-0082

Scope and Contents

Louis Danziger (1923-) studied at the Federal Art Project classes in New York from 1938 to 1941 and then served in the US Army through 1945. Following his military service, he studied with Alvin Lustig and Alexey Brodovitch. In 1949, Danziger established an independent freelance graphic design business in Los Angeles. He enjoyed success through his long-time associations with such prominent companies as the Container Corporation of America, The Dreyfus Company, Gelvatex, Vivitar, Clinton Laboratories, Atlantic Richfield Company and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others. The collection contains representative work from 1949 to 1989 and was donated in 1995 by Mr. Danziger.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1949 - 1989

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

American graphic designer, born and educated in New York City. Danziger studied at the Federal Art Project classes, NY 1938-41 and served in the US Army through 1945. Following his military service, he studied graphics under Alvin Lustig (Art Center School of Design, LA 1947-48) and magazine design under Alexey Brodovitch (New School for Social Research, NY 1948.) In the same year, he collaborated with Brodovitch in designing layouts for Esquire magazine.

In 1949, Danziger established an independent freelance graphic design business in Los Angeles. He enjoyed commercial success maintaining long-term contracts with: Container Corporation of America, The Dreyfus Company, Gelvatex, Vivitar, Clinton Laboratories, Atlantic Richfield Company and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others.

Danziger credits Lustig, Brodovitch and the German journal of the 1920-30's, Gebrauchsgraphik as his formative influences. His work is best known for its characteristic elegance, a term he defined as: "the accomplishment of a great deal with a minimum of means." Throughout his career he preferred to do fewer projects and retain control over production of each piece. With few exceptions, his work incorporates his own photography.

Danziger taught at the Los Angeles Art Institute, 1963-72 and at California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, where he served as Director of Graphic Design, 1972-88.

Extent

8.25 Linear Feet (8 manuscript boxes, 1 small box, 3 oversize boxes, 1/2 map drawer)

Language

English

Overview

The Louis Danziger Collection at RIT consists of representative examples of his commericial works from 1949 -1989, including proofs, tear-sheets, posters, exhibition catalogs and various other printed materials. A limited number of bibliographic and biographical documents are also included in the collection.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in four series: Series I. Danziger Archives Data; Series 2. Bibliographic Files; Series 3. Biographic Files and Series 4. Client Files.

Other Finding Aids

In addition to this finding aid, an inventory is available below. For more information, please contact the Cary Graphic Arts Collection.

Louis Danziger papers

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Louis Danziger papers were given to RIT in 1995.

Box List

Box 1: Archives Data Bibliographic Files Biographical Files Client Files: A-B

Box 2: Client Files: C-General Lighting

Box 3: Client Files: Glenn - L.A. County Museum

Box 4: Client Files: L.A. County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Box 5: Client Files: L.A. County Museum of Art (LACMA) - P

Box 6: Client Files: S - Z

Box 7: Client Files: Clinton Labs. packaging

Box 8: Clinton Labs. packaging

Box 9: Client Files: Oversize Pacific Furniture

Box 10: Client Files: Oversize A - G

Box 11: Client Files: Oversize I - Z

Box 12: Client Files: Posters Hebrew Union College LACMA

Processing Information

Collection processed by Carole Ann Fabian, May 1998.

Finding aid encoded by Kari Horowicz, May 2012.

Title
Louis Danziger papers
Status
Under Revision
Subtitle
Cary Graphic Design Archives
Author
Kari Horowicz
Date
23 May 2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Cary Graphic Arts Collection Repository

Contact:
Rochester NY 14623 US
(585) 475-2408