Gerald Cinamon, a notable figure in graphic design and long-time chief designer for Penguin Books, passed away on February 15, 2024, at the age of 93. Cinamon's career with Penguin spanned over two decades, beginning with his involvement in the design of "The St Trinian's Story" in 1961. He gained recognition for his skilled handling of illustrated books, particularly within Penguin’s Pelican series like Style and Civilization and The Architect and Society.
Known for his innovative layout techniques during the transition from letterpress to offset lithography, Cinamon excelled in integrating text and images, which was evident in projects such as John Berger’s "Success and Failure of Picasso" (1965) and "A Fortunate Man: The Story of a Country Doctor" (1966), the latter of which he designed for Penguin's hardback imprint launched by Allen Lane.
Cinamon's design philosophy, though often associated with the modernist Swiss style, was described by colleagues as more diverse, infusing Swiss precision with a broader range of influences. He was educated at Yale University and had significant training in Basel, Switzerland, under Armin Hofmann, which shaped his design ethos.
Before his tenure at Penguin, Cinamon freelanced in New York and worked briefly at Standard Oil of New Jersey. He settled in London after marrying Diana Philcox in 1959. After leaving Penguin in 1985, he continued to influence the design world through partnerships and educational contributions.
He is survived by his wife Diana, their daughters Sara, Kate, and Beth, eight grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.