The Proto-psychedelia of Push Pin Studios [Something Interesting #42]

I think the following description from The Design Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained is pretty apt for describing what Push Pin Style was (links provided by me):

Push Pin Studios was founded in 1954 in New York by Seymour Chwast, Milton Glaser, and Edward Sorel. The distinctive Push Pin style created by the studio rejected the rigidity of modernism in favor of reinvigorated interpretations of historical styles such as comic books, Art Nouveau, Victorian typography, and German woodcuts. It was also characterized by bulging, exaggerated forms; bright colors; and playful juxtapositions. Examples include Milton Glaser’s 1966 Dylan poster, which showed the musician Bob Dylan in silhouette with psychedelic hair, and Seymour Chwast’s Visit Dante’s Inferno poster from 1967, which featured an orange Satan complete with waistcoat, cigarette, and monocle. The group published The Push Pin Almanack, then The Push Pin Graphic, to showcase their work.

Cover to The Push Pin Monthly Graphic No. 52, designed by Seymour Chwast, Milton Glaser and James McMullan

To find out that one design studio basically defined what we think of Psychedelic '60s style as early as the 1950s is both pretty wild and makes perfect sense. The closest I can think of something similar happening is how the Memphis Group defined how most people think of the 1980s and very early 1990s. I always wondered why psychedelic art seemed focused on Victorian stuff...

"There are three responses to a piece of design - yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for." - Milton Glaser

If you want to know more, here are some links to check out:

The Push Pin Legacy (Poster House)

Push Pin's About page

Commune Design's page about Push Pin

Minnie Muse's page about Push Pin