User:Lulusand/sandbox

Early Life and Education
Born Brooklyn, New York in 1931, Sussman studied art and performance at Black Mountain College, summer 1948, with Merce Cunningham, John Cage, and Franz Kline. She went on to study painting and acting at Bard College, NY and then specialized in graphic design at Institute of Design in Chicago. In 1957, she was awarded a Fulbright to study at Hochschule für Gestaltang (School of Design) in Ulm, Germany.

Work for Eames Office
In 1953, following her studies at the Institute of Design, a recommendation by “Konrad Wachsman, engineer and architect and close friend of Eames” landed Sussman a position at the Eames Office in Los Angeles. For Sussman, working at the Eames office was yet another important part of her education, recalling it as a pivotal experience where intellect and good design came together with a soft sell.” She remained with the Eames, who regarded her much like a daughter—in particular by Ray—until she left for her Fulbright in 1957, returning to the Eames Office in 1960. Known for giving their employees tasks in which they had no experience, the Eames sent Sussman to Mexico to help make the film Day of the Dead (1957). Other memorable projects in which Sussman participated,where the Griffith Park Railroad (1957) for which she designed the signs and tickets and, with visiting English designer Rusell Frears, the design for the Herman Miller showroom interior in New York (1966).

Sussman remained with the Eames until she left to found her own office, Deborah Sussman & Associates, in 1986, but the influence on her design philosophy and visual style was lasting.

Sussman/Prezja
In 1980, joining architect and husband, Paul Prezja, Deborah Sussman & Associates becomes Sussman/Prezja. Clients included Apple, Inc. Hasbro, Walt Disney World, and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

1984 Olympics
In one of the most memorable design project created in Los Angeles, Sussman/Prezja collaborated with Jerde Partnership on kit of parts for 1984 Olympics.

Recognitions

 * 2004 AIGA medal
 * Member of AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale)