020. Elaine Lustig Cohen and Steven Heller: Rewriting Design History

This dual feature episode highlights Elaine Lustig Cohen’s self-taught rise to modernist graphic design and fine art, alongside Steven Heller’s efforts to rewrite design history by amplifying the contributions of women like Elaine.

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Sources:

• elainelustigcohen.com
• The Daily Heller: Elaine Lustig Cohen’s New Website by Steven Heller
• The New York Times Article by Anita Gates

About Elaine

Elaine Lustig Cohen (1927–2016) was a pioneering modernist designer and artist, known for her bold, abstract book covers and museum catalogs that helped shape mid-century American graphic design.

After the sudden passing of her husband, renowned designer Alvin Lustig, Elaine—without any formal training—took over his studio in the 1950s, working with high-profile clients like Philip Johnson, Richard Meier, General Motors, and the Jewish Museum.

What set her design style apart was her ability to merge avant-garde European influences, like Constructivism and Bauhaus principles, with the clean, functionalist aesthetics of American modernism. She brought typography to the forefront, often treating it as a visual and emotional narrative element, while incorporating geometric abstraction to create a sense of movement and rhythm. Her work is now part of the permanent collections at MoMA, LACMA, and Cooper Hewitt.

About Steven

Steven Heller is one of the most prolific design historians and writers in the field, having authored, co-authored, or edited over 200 books on design, illustration, and popular culture. He is best known for his long-running column, The Daily Heller, published by Print magazine, which offers daily insights on visual culture, design history, and current events. In addition to his writing, Heller is the co-chair of the School of Visual Arts MFA Design/Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, where he continues to shape future generations of designers.

Throughout his career, Heller has been a steadfast advocate for women in design. His work has consistently featured and celebrated the contributions of women who have been overlooked in design history. He has worked to bring attention to underrepresented figures in the industry, often calling for a rewriting of design history to include more women. As early as the 1990s, Heller began amplifying the work of female designers, championing their influence on design movements across modernism, typography, and visual communication. He has been vocal about the importance of gender equality in the design industry and has pushed for more inclusive recognition of the women whose innovations have shaped the field.

In 2011, Heller was awarded the AIGA Medal for his outstanding contributions to design journalism, education, and history. His ongoing commitment to uncovering the stories of women in design has made him not only a key figure in documenting design history but also an advocate for equity in the industry. Through his work, he has inspired a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the design world, one that reflects the achievements of all its contributors.

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View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:

Instagram: Amber Asay
Instagram: Women Designers Pod