Early Black designers mainly worked as commissioned engravers and lithographers. Many of them did so while enduring slavery.After the Civil War ended they still faced mistreatment and prejudice. However, those hardships didn’t block their creativity. Rather, they pressed forward to continue creating great designs for their own benefit.

The Harlem Renaissance took place during the 1920s and 1930s in Harlem, New York, and refers to the cultural, social, and artistic explosion of creativity from a variety of artists. The Renaissance was a result of the Great Migration, where more than six million African Americans moved from the south to the northern states, seeking a better life. This time of outspoken action and advocacy for dignity became known as the “New Negro Movement,” named after Alain Locke’s 1925 anthology. 

During the civil rights movement, activists used design, non-violent protest and civil disobedience to bring about change. Many creative leaders within the African American community rose to prominence during this time. 

This chapter honors some of our early and historic designers who broke barriers to pursue their creativity. The names below are Black designers that have left their mark on America’s design history. Cheryl D. Miller, Emory Douglas, Lou Stovall, Tom Burrell, Gail Anderson, Archie Boston, Art Sims, Alex Walker and Ed Towles are still active and sharing their stories. 

Aaron Douglas, Graphic Designer
1899–1979, Topeka, KS

Albert Alexander Smith, Artist and Illustrator
1896 – 1940, New York, NY

Alex Walker, Studio Owner and Designer

Archie Boston, Designer and Educator
1943, Clewiston, FL

Art Sims, Graphic Designer
1954, Detroit, MI

Bill Howell, Graphic Designer
1942 – July 25, 1975 Jefferson City, TN

Caroline R. Jones, Creative Director
1942 – 2001, Benton Harbor, MI

Charles C. Dawson, Printmaker and Illustrator
1889 – 1981, Brunswick, GA

Charles Harrison, Industrial Designer
1931 – 2018, Shreveport, LA

Charles Henry Alston, Illustrator
1907-1977, Charlotte, NC

Cheryl D. Miller, Graphic Designer and Author
1952, Washington, D.C.

Dorothy Hayes, Graphic Designer
1935-2015, Mobile, AL

Ed Towles, Graphic Designer
1945, Coatesville, PA

Emmett McBain, Graphic Designer
1935 – 2012, Chicago, IL

Emory Douglas, Graphic Designer
1943 , San Francisco, CA

Eugene Winslow, Illustrator
1919 – 2001, Dayton, OH

Eunice W. Johnson, Publisher
1916 – 2010, Selma, AL

Frank Lucas, Graphic Designer
1930- Unknown, Cambridge, MA

Gail Anderson, Graphic Designer
1962, Bronx, NY

Georg Olden, Illustrator 
1920–1975, Birmingham, AL

Jessie Redmon Fauset, Editor and Journalist
1882–1961, Camden County, NJ

Jules Lion, Lithographer and Artist
1809–1866, New Orleans, LA

LeRoy Winbush, Graphic Designer
1915–2007, Memphis, TN

Lou Stovall, Artist and Designer
1937, Athens, GA

Mary Ann Shadd, Journalist and Publisher
1823-1893, Washington, DC

Patrick H. Reason, Engravers and Lithographer
1816 – 1898, New York, NY

Ruth G. Waddy, Printmaker
1909-2003, Lincoln, NE

Scipio Moorhead, Portrait Engraver
1700s, Boston, MA

Selma Burke, Sculptor and Dime Designer
1900–1995, Mooresville, NC

Sylvia Harris, Graphic Designer
1953 - 2011 Richmond, VA

Thomas Miller, Graphic Designer
1920 – 2012, Chicago, IL

Tom Burrell, Advertising
1939, Chicago, IL

Vincent T. Cullers, Art Director
1924-2003, Chicago, IL

William Wacasey, Art Director