John J. Graham
Encyclopedia
John J. Graham was an American graphic artist who designed and created both the NBC
peacock logo
(1956) and the NBC "snake" logo (1959).
Graham was born in New York City
, where he attended the School of Industrial Art (now The High School of Art & Design) and later, studied under Artist Jack Levine
. He joined NBC after World War II, where he was responsible for designing the television division's various logos, title cards, print materials, advertising, and promotions. In the early 1950s, Graham, as NBC Art Director, hired a young Andy Warhol
to do some of his first commercial works.
In 1966, NBC President Julian Goodman
appointed Graham Director of Design for the entire network.
Graham retired from NBC in 1977 and continued his association with NBC as a consultant. The rest of Graham's time was spent painting, illustrating and designing layouts for books. He died in 1994, aged 70. He was survived by his three children; Bruce Graham, Maggie Zackheim and Ben Zackheim.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
peacock logo
NBC logos
The National Broadcasting Company has used several corporate logos over its history, yet the peacock is its most well known.-Microphone logo :...
(1956) and the NBC "snake" logo (1959).
Graham was born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he attended the School of Industrial Art (now The High School of Art & Design) and later, studied under Artist Jack Levine
Jack Levine
Jack Levine was an American Social Realist painter and printmaker best known for his satires on modern life, political corruption, and biblical narratives.-Biography:...
. He joined NBC after World War II, where he was responsible for designing the television division's various logos, title cards, print materials, advertising, and promotions. In the early 1950s, Graham, as NBC Art Director, hired a young Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
to do some of his first commercial works.
In 1966, NBC President Julian Goodman
Julian Goodman
Julian Goodman is a former president of the National Broadcasting Company . His hometown was Glasgow, Kentucky.His work landed him on the master list of Nixon political opponents.-References:...
appointed Graham Director of Design for the entire network.
Graham retired from NBC in 1977 and continued his association with NBC as a consultant. The rest of Graham's time was spent painting, illustrating and designing layouts for books. He died in 1994, aged 70. He was survived by his three children; Bruce Graham, Maggie Zackheim and Ben Zackheim.