Jim Parkinson, a legendary lettering artist whose hand-drawn logos graced the covers of Rolling Stone, Esquire, Newsweek, and many other publications during the golden age of print journalism, passed away on June 26 at his home in Oakland, Calif. He was 83.
A Legacy of Hand-Drawn Mastery
Parkinson's work was a blend of classic design and the free-spirited energy of the 1960s. His logos weren't just visually striking; they carried a sense of gravitas and personality that became synonymous with the publications they represented. Roger Black, a prominent design consultant, described Parkinson's work as "never slick or sleek. It had a hand-drawn quality that was warm, never mechanical."
The Rolling Stone Revolution
One of Parkinson's most notable projects was redesigning the Rolling Stone logo for its 10th anniversary. The original logo, designed by underground comic artist Rick Griffin, had a psychedelic vibe. Parkinson transformed it into a serif style that was both authoritative and dynamic, perfectly capturing the magazine's evolution from a countercultural publication to a mainstream media powerhouse.
A Career Spanning Decades
Beyond Rolling Stone, Parkinson's portfolio included logos for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and even music bands like the Doobie Brothers and Creedence Clearwater Revival. His ability to "move the logo forward without severing all links to the past" made him a sought-after designer in the industry.
A Lifelong Passion for Lettering
Parkinson's fascination with lettering began in childhood, inspired by a neighbor who was a lettering artist. He honed his craft at Hallmark, working alongside renowned typeface designer Hermann Zapf. Parkinson's dedication to his art was unwavering, and his influence on typography and logo design remains profound.
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