Lately I keep encountering the inspiring work of graphic designer Ronald Clyne.  His main income was from book jackets, but his most impressive body of work is the over 500 covers he did for Folkways Records.  Working for Folkways meant the restriction of two colors per job, and aside from that, complete freedom.  The elegant, careful, and timeless quality of Clyne’s designs was the perfect companion to the ethic of Folkways, as much a library of world culture as a record label.

Clyne lived in Brooklyn Heights with his wife Hortense.  He passed away early last year.  This tribute on Smithsonian Folkways’ site has a great slide show of Clyne’s album covers, as well as a short interview.

“To do work that you get paid less for, but like, and can do quickly, effectively: perfect.”
–Ronald Clyne

posted by randy
6:10PM, 13 Jan 2007

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