Ruth Ansel

Whilst browsing through the latest issue of Creative Review magazine I came across an article on designer Ruth Ansel who has been an art director of three of the most influential magazines of all time. Working on Harpers Bazaar in the 1960's, the New York Times magazine in the 70's and Vanity Fair in the 80's. Ruth believes that graphic design at it's best' informs and entertains the eye whilst defining the moment' and one of her own primary goals is to create a new visual language that breaks with tradition of using photography and type. I was interested in finding out more about her as a designer and was also intrigued by the article published in creative review as it is the first in a series on woman designers. It made me think about whether there are enough female designers and if female designers are appreciated enough in the design world.

Whilst researching into the background of Ansel I came across an interview in which she speaks about how the workplace has changed for women over the years. I found this quite insightful as it delved into my own earlier thoughts of female designers.

(Interview with Bonnie Siegler found at http://www.stepinsidedesign.com/STEPMagazine/Article/28556/index.html)

S: How do you think the workplace has changed for women over the years?

RA: It hasn’t very much. It is more about appearances than reality. More women are in the workplace but they’re not getting comparable recognition or salaries with their male peers. Women are still working in a man’s world. It is especially difficult for an independent outsider type of woman, whether she is a graphic designer, an architect, or an interior designer, to really achieve a top position, even if she is an exceptional talent. Think of Eileen Gray, and how she spent most of her life having her work ignored, while her famous collaborator, Le Corbusier was celebrated worldwide. She did not become famous until shortly before she died in 1976. I admit I had never heard of her until then as well. There are certainly more talented women out there, more than men I believe, but I still think the glass ceiling exists and they get discouraged

BS: At times I feel if I was a man in the same position doing the same work, I would be paid more money, and be more famous.

RA: I started out as a graphic designer in the 1960s at Harper’s Bazaar magazine. At that time there were very few women to look up to who had preceded me in the field of magazine design. Of course, there were exceptions like Cipe Pineles and Miki Denhof. But things don’t seem to have progressed much since then. What I mean is here we are in 2005 and I don’t think you can name an equal amount of really talented and deserving women with an equal amount of men who are recognized graphic designers, heads of their own firms, or successful CEOs in advertising. If so I’d love to know who those women are.

I enjoyed this interview and felt it gave me a good insight into how what female designers think of the industry.