Paul Rand's 'A Designer's Art' Made Front Page History in NYT Book Review

In 1985, Paul Rand's first self-authored essay anthology, 'A Designer's Art,' became the first book on graphic design to be featured as the lead story on the front page of the New York Times Book Review. The review was written by Alan Fern, then director of the National Portrait Gallery, at the suggestion of Steven Heller, who was art director of the Book Review at the time. Heller had read an advance galley and enthusiastically endorsed the book for review. He also recommended Fern, whose scholarship extended to Soviet posters and typography, as the reviewer. Fern did not know Rand personally, which Heller considered a good match. The front-page placement was kept secret until the issue was published, and Rand was very pleased with the honor.