Kit Hinrichs (born November 15, 1941) is an American graphic designer, author, collector, and design educator.
Education Hinrichs studied graphic design at Art Center College of Design (then in Los Angeles, California), where he earned a Bachelor of Professional Arts in 1963.Meggs, Philip B., and Alston W. Purvis. Meggs' History of Graphic Design. 6th ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2016, p. 581.
Career
Professional overview After graduating from Art Center in 1963, Hinrichs served in the Marine Corps. Hinrichs then moved to New York and, after a few years, partnered with Anthony Russell to form Russell and Hinrichs, an independent design consultancy.Yelavich, Susan. Profile: Pentagram Design. London: Phaidon, 2004, pp. 185–186. Seven years later, Hinrichs and his wife, Linda Hinrichs, established Hinrichs Design Associates which "focused on reinterpreting the annual report with a concentration on the character of particular companies." They moved to San Francisco in 1976 and formed a bi-coastal partnership with Vance Jonson, B. Martin Pedersen, and Neil Shakery called Jonson, Pedersen, Hinrichs & Shakery."Kit Hinrichs: Biography by AIGA." AIGA, 1 March 2004, http://www.aiga.org/medalist-kithinrichs. Accessed 11 November 2016 (archived at ). In 1986 the San Francisco office merged with Pentagram and Hinrichs became a partner at Pentagram. Hinrichs was a partner at Pentagram's San Francisco office from 1986 to 2009."Graphis Biography: Kit Hinrichs." Graphis Inc., http://www.graphis.com/bio/2/kit-hinrichs-2/. Accessed: November 7, 2016 (archived at ). In 2009, Hinrichs founded Studio Hinrichs, an independent design firm in San Francisco, California.
Hinrichs' design experience spans brand development and identity, promotion, publication design, packaging design, environmental graphics, product design, editorial design, and exhibition design. Hinrichs' past and present clients include the California Academy of Sciences,Hill, Linda A. Collective Genius: The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation. Boston: Harvard Business Review, 2014, p. 95. Design Within Reach,"Design Within Reach." AIGA, http://www.aiga.org/cla-design-within-reach. Accessed: November 7, 2016 (archived at ). Crocker Bank, Transamerica, Potlatch Corporation, American President Lines, The Nature Company, Consolidated Freightways, Royal Viking Lines, Clarks of England, Art Center College of Design, Red Herring (magazine), Aspen Skiing Company,Frolick, Stuart I. "Kit Hinrichs." Graphis 45.262 (1989): 14–33. Print. Sony Metreon Entertainment Complex, United Airlines' Hemispheres Magazine,Tempus Fugit: World's Best Calendar. Barcelona: Index, 2009. Print. Simpson Paper,"Awards: Trade Collateral—Brochures/ Catalogs." San Francisco Annual VI Apr. 1992: 113. Print. Sappi Fine Paper, Muzak, Gymboree, University of Southern California, Safeco, Museum of Glass, Symantec, KQED, the San Francisco Zoo, Restoration Hardware,"Spotlight: Kit Hinrichs." AIGA Baltimore, August 14, 14, http://www.baltimore.aiga.org/spotlight-kit-hinrichs/. Accessed November 7, 2016 (archived at ). Columbus Salame,Hinrichs, Kit. "Columbus Salame: Remembering Roots." Print 67.5 (2013): 57. and many more."Branding." Studio Hinrichs, http://www.studio-hinrichs.com/studio-hinrichs-branding/. Accessed November 10, 2016 (archived at ).
Hinrichs is the co-author of seven books: Vegetables,Hinrichs, Kit, and Delphine Hirasuna. Vegetables. San Francisco: Chronicle, 1985. Print. . Stars & Stripes: Ninety-six Top Designers and Graphic Artists Offer Their Personal Interpretations of Old Glory,Hinrichs, Kit, and Delphine Hirasuna. Stars & Stripes: Ninety-six Top Designers and Graphic Artists Offer Their Personal Interpretations of Old Glory. San Francisco: Chronicle, 1987. Print. . TypeWise,Hinrichs, Kit, and Delphine Hirasuna. TypeWise. Cincinnati, OH: North Light, 1990. Print. . Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag,Hinrichs, Kit, Delphine Hirasuna, and Terry Heffernan. Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed, 2001. Print. . The Pentagram Papers: A Collection of Thirty-six Papers,Hinrichs, Kit, and Delphine Hirasuna. The Pentagram Papers: A Collection of Thirty-six Papers ... London: Thames & Hudson, 2006. Print. . 100 American Flags: A Unique Collection of Old Glory Memorabilia,Hinrichs, Kit, Delphine Hirasuna, and Terry Heffernan. 100 American Flags: A Unique Collection of Old Glory Memorabilia. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed, 2008. Print. . and 100 Baseball Icons: From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Archive.Heffernan, Terry, Kit Hinrichs, and Delphine Hirasuna. 100 Baseball Icons: From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Archive. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed, 2008. Print. . He also co-founded @Issue: The Journal of Business and Design with Delphine Hirasuna.
Hinrichs has taught various graphic design courses at School of Visual Arts, California College of the Arts, and Academy of Art University."Kit Hinrichs." Association of Registered Graphics Designers, http://www.designthinkers.com/Speakers/Kit-Hinrichs.aspx. Accessed November 7, 2016 (archived at ).
Visual storytelling Philip B. Meggs and Alston W. Purvis describe Hinrichs as a "visual storyteller" whose "designs are distinguished by a keen understanding of the narrative and abundant interpretations on a theme." According to Hinrichs, "[o]ne thing you'll find is that whether I'm talking or designing, there are always metaphors involved. Parables. Simple stories that anyone can understand. Before I solve the styling—the way in which an idea is going to be presented—I ask 'Who are we talking to, and how can I best tell the story?' That process of telling the story verbally automatically triggers ideas about the way in which I'll tell it visually."
@Issue: The Journal of Business Design In or about 1986, Kit Hinrichs and writer Delphine Hirasuna conceived of a magazine to bridge "designers and corporate clients, addressing the ever-present perception that neither party clearly understands what each other contributes to their intended collaboration."Gomez-Palacio, Bryony, and Armin Vit. Graphic Design, Referenced: A Visual Guide to the Language, Applications, and History of Graphic Design. Beverly, MA: Rockport, 2009, p. 103. In 1994, Potlatch papers agreed to underwrite the project, and in 1995 the Corporate Design Foundation became involved as the official publisher of @Issue: The Journal of Business and Design. @Issue is focused on the "effective use of design in business,"Lawrence, Peter. "Welcome." @issue: Journal of Business & Design Fall 1995: 1. Print. and includes case studies, interviews, and articles about client-designer collaborations. @Issue "was immediately embraced by the design and business communities because it was the only publication that really addressed how design directly impacts businesses and their brands."Potts, Emily. "Comeback Kid: @issue Gets New Online Presence." Print, August 11, 2014, http://www.printmag.com/imprint/design-magazine-issues/. Accessed November 7, 2016 (archived at ). In 2006, @Issue's circulation (available only by subscription) reached 100,000, and a spinoff conference was started. In 2009, @Issue transformed from a printed publication to a digital platform.
American Flag and Memorabilia Collection Kit Hinrichs collects American flags and American flag memorabilia, and owns thousands of objects that have formed the basis of several exhibitions and books. His collection has been exhibited by the Smithsonian Institution,"Long May She Wave: A Visual History of the American Flag." Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, http://www.sites.si.edu/exhibitions/exhibits/longMaySheWave/. Accessed November 7, 2016 (archived at ). the Mercer Museum,"Exhibit: Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag." Mercer Museum, http://www.mercermuseum.org/event/exhibit-long-may-she-wave-a-graphic-history-of-the-american-flag/. Accessed: November 4, 2016 (archived by at ). and the Nevada Museum of Art."Long May She Wave: The Graphic History of the American Flag." Nevada Museum of Art, http://www.nevadaart.org/exhibition/long-may-she-wave-the-graphic-history-of-the-american-flag/. Accessed November 10, 2016 (archived at ). Hinrichs made a guest appearance on Martha Stewart's show Martha to discuss and present his American flag and ephemera collection."Collector Flags with Kit Hinrichs," Martha Stewart, http://www.marthastewart.com/1002646/collector-flags-kit-hinrichs . Accessed November 10, 2016."Patriotic Memorabilia with Kit Hinrichs," Martha Stewart, http://www.marthastewart.com/995504/patriotic-memorabilia-kit-hinrichs . Accessed November 10, 2016.
Kit Hinrichs has written and/or designed four books about the American flag: Stars & Stripes: Ninety-six Top Designers and Graphic Artists Offer Their Personal Interpretations of Old Glory, Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag, 100 American Flags: A Unique Collection of Old Glory Memorabilia, and The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict.Madaus, Howard Michael, and Whitney Smith. The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord & Conflict. Santa Cruz, CA: VZ Publications, 2006. Print.
Awards and recognition Hinrichs has won hundreds of design awards, including the AIGA Medal in 2004 and an honorary Doctorate of Letters by Art Center College of Design in 2009."Metropolis Publisher, Editor Honored with Art Center College of Design Degrees." Dexigner, http://www.dexigner.com/news/9877. Accessed: November 9, 2016 (archived at ). He is represented in several permanent collections including: the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)"Kit Hinrichs." Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), http://www.moma.org/artists/2659?locale=en. Accessed November 4, 2016 (archived at ). in New York City; the Library of Congress in Washington, DC; and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)."Kit Hinrichs." San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), http://www.sfmoma.org/artist/Kit_Hinrichs. Accessed November 4, 2016 (archived at ). He has been a featured speaker at national design conferences including the HOW Design Live Conference,"HOW Design Live Brings You Design Greats: Kit Hinrichs." Print Magazine. June 11, 2012, http://www.printmag.com/featured/how-design-live-brings-you-design-greats-kit-hinrichs/. Accessed November 7, 2016 (archived at ). Adobe MAX,"Kit Hinrichs: 'Dog's Dinners' and How to Avoid Them." Adobe Max, http://www.adobe-max.com/connect/sessionDetail.ww?SESSION_ID=3580&tclass=popup. Accessed November 7, 2016 (archived at ). the Stanford Design Conference, the AIGA National Conferences, as well as at regional AIGA chapters and at universities and design schools across the country.
Hinrichs is an AIGA fellow, a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale, and a trustee of Art Center College of Design. He is a former executive board member of the AIGA, and served on the Accessions Design and Architecture committee at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Hinrichs was chair of the AIGA California Show (the first regional show in AIGA's 100-year history), the AIGA Business Conference, and the San Francisco Design Lecture Series; he co-chaired the Alliance Graphique Internationale Congress.
In 2008, Hinrichs mounted a retrospective exhibit at California State University, Sacramento entitled "The Storyteller's Art""The Storyteller's Art." California State University, Sacramento, http://www.csus.edu/indiv/e/estiokom/kit_hinrichs_event.html. Accessed November 9, 2016 (archived at ). which traveled to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California in 2009."Kit Hinrichs: A Storyteller Tells His Own Story." The One Club For Art & Copy, May 13, 2009, http://www.oneclub.org/magazine/?id=114#olmag=/magazine/?id=114. Accessed November 7, 2016 (archived at ).
Books Hinrichs, Kit, and Delphine Hirasuna. Vegetables. San Francisco: Chronicle, 1985. Print. .