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When you think of TV design firms from the 50s and 60s, you probably think of some smug execs making racist comments at the TV as they discuss how to exploit people, but during this time, at CBS, there was a man named Georg Olden who defied the norm.
Georg Olden was an African American designer who shook the world in 1945 when he became head of on-air promotions at CBS, joining right when public broadcasting was on the rise. His countless contributions paved the way for other African American designers in the field. He earned over 25 awards and even designed the Clio statuette in 1962, proving his talent to the world.
His work included title cards for many famous shows such as I Love Lucy and Lassie. Though not only did he work on promos but also iconic imagery such as the vote tallying board for the first publicly broadcasted election. Olden’s contributions helped usher in the golden age of TV and changed the design world as we know it.
He started simple, making posters to promote rationing and better resource management for the government during the second world war, but when the war ended, he was recommended to the CBS Vice President due to his expertise. He then joined CBS and stayed until 1960 when he left to join BBDO which was one of the biggest design firms of the time.
Even after leaving CBS, his imagery became iconic, bringing a modern simplistic style to a budding industry. His use of minimal design while still conveying the feel of the show became synonymous with his name. As he worked more and more, his style became more and more influential. Laying the foundations for the sleek and simple style of title cards that still exist even to this day.
Even though Olden stopped working for television, his contributions to the design world will persist for decades to come. His work established one of the first on-screen styles and paved the way for future African Americans going into the industry.
Sources
Aller, Henry. “George Olden (1920-1975).” Blackpast.org, 19 Mar. 2016, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/olden-georg-1920-1975/
Lasky, Julie. “2007 AIGA Medal.” Aiga.org, Aiga, 7 Sept. 2007, www.aiga.org/medalist-georgolden
Laughton, Glenford. “13 African American Graphic Designers You Should Know, Part 1.” Laughtoncreatves.com, 15 Feb. 2021, laughtoncreatves.com/13-african-american-graphic-designers-know-part-1/
Lee, Sarah. “Title Cards for CBS Television (50s-60s).” Edited by Brockett Horne, The People's Graphic Design Archive, 24 Feb. 2021, 11:44, www.notion.so/Title-Cards-for-CBS-Television-50s-60s-faa0f80841874a5ba2cd9d2aaeae253d
Norton, Natasha. “Television as Modern Art.” Evergreen State College, 11 Nov. 2009, 10:39 am, https://archives.evergreen.edu/webpages/curricular/2009-2010/rc1/rc1natashanorton/research-report/index.html
Jason Chambers. “MEET ONE OF THE PIONEERING BLACKS IN THE AD INDUSTRY.” Advertising Age, vol. 80, no. 6, 2009, p. 13.