Pat Gorman was born in New York City in 1947 and raised in Whitestone, New York. In 1979 she co-founded Manhattan Design. The firm was best known for the iconic MTV logo they designed, pioneering the innovative concept that “Logos Could Change” and for which she received many awards, including a Clio, an MTV award as well as being named one of the top 100 graphic designs of the 20th century award. Ms. Gorman is responsible for many of the early MTV animations and was sculptor of the moon man MTV award statue. She conceived of and designed sets for several of their awards shows as well as many of the popular souvenir items like shirts, caps, towels and more.

Gorman also co-designed many album covers and souvenir items for groups like Talking Heads, REM, Billy Idol, Duran Duran, 10,000 Maniacs, The Cars, Katrina and the Waves, the B-52s, The Scorpions, Natalie Merchant, and more. Additional graphic design accomplishments include winning UN Population Day poster contests and the design of a number of early popular Swatch watches, clothing and accessories.

A Pratt Institute trained fine artist, Gorman’s work and designs have been exhibited in various galleries in New York and elsewhere. She has been keynote speaker at many AIGA events, and is written about in the major books on 20th century graphic design. The New York Times Magazine included her work among the 100 most influential designs of the century. She has been featured in Graphis, Billboard, TIME and Art Director magazines.

Pat Gorman’s work was exhibited in:

Book Makers
Center for Book Arts first five years

Book design for “Minsky in London”
(1979) 11 x 14 inches. Cover caricature by Gerald Mynott, back cover photograph by Richard Minsky.