Artist of the day

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.

© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Ronald Shakespear or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only

Ronald Shakespear

Promotional poster for the legendary Argentine television broadcast, 1964

Naming & Brand Identity System, 1978

Visual Identity, 1988

Corporate Naming & Identity Signage, 1992

Buenos Aires Underground, Wayfinding & Signage System, 1995

Rectorado Building Córdoba Campus, 2004

Packaging Design, 2011

Corporate Identity & Wayfinding Signage, 2011-13

Brand Identity / Logo, 2012-14

Identity & Office Signage System, 2013

Identity & Signage System, 2013

Identity System (Corporate Logo), 2013

Naming, Brand Identity & Wayfinding System, 2013

Brand Identity & Logo, 2015

Fleet Vehicle Brand Identity System, 2015

Brand Identity, 2016

Design Identity & Packaging Visuals, 2017

Brand Identity & Pattern Design, 2018

Identity Redesign & Brand Collateral, 2018

Identity & Corporate Stationery, 2018-20

Packaging Collection, 2021

Brand Identity & Corporate Signage System, 2021

Brand Identity & Logo, 2021

Naming, Identity & Interior Design, 2021

Packaging, 2021

Website Redesign & Visual Identity, 2022

Identity & Signage System, 2022

Packaging Collection, 2022

Storefront Identity & Signage System, 2024

Monday, August 31, 2026

Artist of the Day, August 31, 2026 : William Merritt Chase, an American painter (#2619)

William Merritt Chase (1849 – 1916) was born in Nineveh, Indiana, where he developed an early passion for art under the instruction of local painters Barton S. Hays and Jacob Cox. After serving briefly in the Navy, he relocated to New York in 1869 to advance his training, studying with Joseph Oriel Eaton and enrolling at the National Academy of Design under Lemuel Wilmarth.

When declining family finances forced a move to St. Louis, Missouri, Chase actively supported his family while remaining deeply involved in the local art scene. His talent caught the attention of wealthy local benefactors who financed a two-year study trip to Europe in exchange for paintings and assistance with their collections.

In Europe, Chase enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, studying under Alexander Von Wagner and Karl von Piloty. He built close professional relationships with American expatriates Walter Shirlaw, Frank Duveneck, and J. Frank Currier, whose work he collected extensively. Chase quickly mastered the loose-brush, figurative style popularized by his Munich instructors. In 1876, his acclaimed portrait "Keying Up" - The Court Jester won a prestigious medal at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, successfully cementing his prominent artistic reputation in the United States.
© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by William Merritt Chase or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only