Will Burtin and the Display of Visual Knowledge

The Graphic Design Archives Chapbook Series celebrates the achievements of key design pioneers whose work is collected in the Special Collections department of RIT Libraries. Will Burtin: The Display of Visual Knowledge explores the work of Will Burtin (1908–1972), designer, visionary, and teacher. Whether in advertising, exhibits, magazines, or other print material, his constant goal was to provide the audience with optimum communication of the content. Burtin designed visual training manuals for gunners during World War II, served as art director of Fortune magazine, organized several ground-breaking design conferences, and worked as a design consultant for the pharmaceutical giant Upjohn. Burtin had a unique ability to visually express complex concepts in a sophisticated yet aesthetically pleasing and accessible manner; this became the defining characteristic of his work. This chapbook, as well as the materials found in the Will Burtin Collection in the Graphic Design Archives, can be studied to give meaningful understanding to Burtin’s design process.