Milton Glaser is one of those designers whose work people know even when they do not know they know it.
The Bob Dylan poster is the obvious example: black profile, wildly coloured hair, a tiny ‘Dylan’ tucked at the bottom. It was included with Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits in 1967 and became one of the defining graphic images of the decade.
Far Broader Than Dylan
But reducing Glaser to Dylan — or even to I ♥ NY — misses how broad the work was. He co-founded Push Pin Studios, worked across books, records, magazines, restaurants and identities, and later co-founded New York magazine. Illustration, typography and graphic design were never treated as separate little boxes.
We particularly like that his work can be clever without becoming clinical. Mid-century graphic design is sometimes talked about as though everything had to be reduced to a perfect grid. Glaser was happy to bring drawing, historical references, decoration and humour back into the room.
That makes his posters a great bridge between art, music and graphic design collecting. You can buy one because of Dylan, because of New York, because you love Push Pin, or simply because the image works.
Poster Spotlight
Aretha Franklin - Milton Glaser
A music portrait showing Glaser's illustrative side, distinct from the flat graphic style of the Dylan poster.
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Milton Glaser - I Love NY Summer Festival
A variant of the I ♥ NY identity applied to a specific cultural event, beyond the famous logo alone.
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Campari - Milton Glaser
A commercial commission demonstrating how far Glaser's design language travelled beyond music and identity work.
View PosterA Note for Collectors
Glaser’s most famous designs have been reproduced endlessly. For collectible posters, establish what the piece was originally issued for, its date, dimensions and whether it is a period promotional object, a later authorised printing or a modern reproduction.
Explore More
Browse our Milton Glaser collection and Music Posters, or continue with our Poster History guide.
Original Posters by Milton Glaser
A live look at Milton Glaser posters currently in the Printed Originals collection.
