Alex
Steinweiss grew up in Brooklyn's Brighton Beach section. He attended
Abraham Lincoln High School from 1930-1934 and was in the graphic
design program taught by Leon Friend. His classmates included Gene
Federico, Seymour Chwast and William Taubin. Friend’s group
was known as the “Art Squad” and designed school publications,
posters and signs. At the age of 17 his work was showcased in PM
magazine. He received a scholarship to Parsons School of Art and
after a rocky start graduated in 1937. Through the help of Lucien
Bernhard he got his first job as an assistant to Joseph Binder.
This position lasted almost 3 years. In 1939, Dr. Leslie featured
alumni of the Art Squad’s work in an issue of PM. Dr. Leslie, who
considered Steinweiss one of his discoveries, encouraged Steinweiss
to go out on his own. After leaving Binder’s studio he received
a call from Dr. Leslie about a new position at the newly formed
Columbia Records. His early work at Columbia was designed in the
tradition of the great French and German poster artists—flat color
fields, symbolic and metaphorical shapes as well as simple, appealing
typography. He
held the position of art director until WWII when he took a job
with the US Navy producing informational materials. At night he
continued to freelance at Columbia. He maintained his freelance
status after the war and added to his list of clients National Distillery,
Schenley Distributors, White Laboratories, Print Magazine and Fortune
magazine. In addition to design work he created the packaging concept
for LP’s that has been in use until the advent of CD’s. Dr. Leslie
again showcased Steinweiss’s
work in a one man show held in 1947. During the 1950’s he also
worked for London, Decca and A&R records. In 1974 he and his wife
moved to Sarasota, Florida where he paints and designs posters for
community and cultural events.
|
Issues:
December-January
1939-40
June-
July 1941
|