Artist of the day: September 2026

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Artist of the Day, September 1, 2026 : Ronald Shakespear, an Argentinian graphic artist (#2620)

Ronald Shakespear, (1941) is an eminent Argentinian graphic designer celebrated for pioneering modern wayfinding and corporate identity systems. He is most notably recognized for co-designing the landmark Buenos Aires Visual Plan. In 1960, he founded Diseño Shakespear, a multidisciplinary design consultancy specializing in corporate identity programs, wayfinding systems, urban furniture, and communications strategy. Under his leadership, the firm developed prominent identity programs for major enterprises, including Boca Juniors, Banco Galicia, Harrods, Duty Free Shop, and Red Link.

Shakespear’s design philosophy centers on "making the city legible," treating urban environments and corporate spaces as living ecosystems that require intuitive navigation. Beyond simple aesthetics, his work redefined the economic and functional value of spatial branding by seamlessly combining typography, color psychology, and industrial design to reduce public friction and enhance visitor experience. His systemic approach was subsequently applied to high-traffic civic spaces, including the comprehensive signage systems for the Buenos Aires Subway network, the municipal hospital system, and major transit highways. By standardizing complex data into clear, universal visual language, Shakespear established a benchmark for how corporate and civic identities can drive operational efficiency and public accessibility.

Throughout his distinguished career, Shakespear served as a Chair Professor at the University of Buenos Aires and as President of the Association of Graphic Designers of Buenos Aires. An influential global voice in design, he has delivered lectures across international cities and presented at prominent Icograda International Congresses in Nice, Montreal, São Paulo, and Beijing. Shakespear managed his studio until his retirement in 2021, at which point leadership transitioned to his sons, Lorenzo and Juan, who continue to operate the firm today.

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