Westinghouse Annual Report, Front Cover Proof 1974 [Design by Paul Rand]

Westinghouse Electric Corporation, 1974 Annual Report Front Cover Proof, New York and Pittsburgh, USA. 8.375 x 10.875, single-sided design by Paul Rand. Signed in plate “Paul Rand” in the lower-right corner. From the collection of Paul Rand.

In 1959 Rand became the graphic design consultant for Westinghouse and helped develop its corporate design program including: their logotype and iconic “Circle W” trademark, corporate typeface, packaging, advertising, signage, posters, annual reports and more. Rand‘s contributions to the Westinghouse visual impression was perhaps, as important (but not as popular) as the work he did for IBM.

“The annual report is the most important line of communication to corporate shareholders. Rand designed them to be inviting, often by cropping in so close on details that they appeared to be of abstract artworks.” — Paul Rand by Steven Heller, 1999.

This numeric only cover features sans-serif typography, bright contrasting colors and textures in an unfussy layout. A dramatic black and white photograph of the Eastern United States is partially masked. “Taken from a Defense Meteorological Satellite at an altitude of 450 nautical miles on a clear night, the bright areas indicate the actual amount of light produced in large metropolitan regions. Westinghouse sensor and display equipment helped create this picture that was used for weather forecasting.”

A nearly fine semi-coated paper cover with the slightest hint of wear along the lower corner margin. Would look lovely framed! This cover sold as part of a larger lot at Wright Auction's Paul Rand: The Art of Design Sale in 2018.