Saul Bass

Date of Birth: May 8, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: April 25, 1996

Biography

Saul Bass was an iconic American graphic designer and filmmaker, renowned for his distinctive work in the fields of motion picture title sequences, corporate logos, and movie posters. Born on May 8, 1920, in the Bronx, New York City, Bass studied at the Art Students League in Manhattan and later attended Brooklyn College, where he was mentored by Hungarian designer György Kepes. Bass’s career took off in the 1950s when he began creating groundbreaking title sequences for films such as “The Man with the Golden Arm” (1955) and “North by Northwest” (1959). His collaborations with directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger, and Martin Scorsese solidified his reputation as a pioneer in the industry. Beyond film, Bass made a substantial impact in the corporate world by designing memorable logos for major companies such as AT&T, United Airlines, and Minolta. His style was characterized by simplicity, clarity, and a keen understanding of visual communication. Bass continued to influence the design world until his passing on April 25, 1996, in Los Angeles, California.

5 Interesting Facts about Saul Bass

1. Saul Bass designed the iconic AT&T “bell” logo in 1969 and later the “globe” logo in 1983.

2. He won an Academy Award for his short film “Why Man Creates” in 1968.

3. Bass worked with Martin Scorsese on the title sequences for films like “Goodfellas” (1990) and “Casino” (1995).

4. His title sequence for “Psycho” (1960) is considered one of the most influential in film history.

5. Bass designed the original logos for both Continental Airlines and United Airlines.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Saul Bass

1. “Design is thinking made visual.”

2. “I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares.”

3. “Design is the intermediary between information and understanding.”

4. “Making a strong first impression is as important as ever.”

5. “Logos are a graphic extension of the internal realities of a company.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Saul Bass’s highest net worth is estimated to have been around $20 million at the time of his death.

Children

Saul Bass had two children: Jennifer Bass and Robert Bass. Jennifer Bass has co-authored books about her father’s work and legacy, thus continuing to preserve and share his contributions to the world of design.