Kit Hinrichs

• Name — Kit Hinrichs • Born — 15 November 1941 • Birthplace — Torrance, California • Occupation — Graphic designer • Known for — Pentagram partner, 1986–2009 • Spouse — Linda Hinrichs

Hinrichs studied graphic design at Art Center College of Design (then in Los Angeles, California), where he earned a Bachelor of Professional Arts in 1963.

After graduating from Art Center in 1963, Hinrichs served in the Marine Corps. Hinrichs then moved to New York and, after a few years, partnered with Anthony Russell to form Russell and Hinrichs, an independent design consultancy. Seven years later, Hinrichs and his wife, Linda Hinrichs, established Hinrichs Design Associates which "focused on reinterpreting the annual report with a concentration on the character of particular companies." They moved to San Francisco in 1976 and formed a bi-coastal partnership with Vance Jonson, B. Martin Pedersen, and Neil Shakery called Jonson, Pedersen, Hinrichs & Shakery. In 1986 the San Francisco office merged with Pentagram and Hinrichs became a partner at Pentagram. Hinrichs was a partner at Pentagram's San Francisco office from 1986 to 2009. In 2009, Hinrichs founded Studio Hinrichs, an independent design firm in San Francisco, California. Hinrichs' design experience spans brand development and identity, promotion, publication design, packaging design, environmental graphics, product design, editorial design, and exhibition design. Hinrichs' past and present clients include the California Academy of Sciences, Design Within Reach, Crocker Bank, Transamerica, Potlatch Corporation, American President Lines, The Nature Company, Consolidated Freightways, Royal Viking Lines, Clarks of England, Art Center College of Design, Red Herring (magazine), Aspen Skiing Company, Sony Metreon Entertainment Complex, United Airlines' Hemispheres Magazine, Simpson Paper, Sappi Fine Paper, Muzak, Gymboree, University of Southern California, Safeco, Museum of Glass, Symantec, KQED, the San Francisco Zoo, Restoration Hardware, Columbus Salame, and many more. Hinrichs is the co-author of seven books: Vegetables, Stars & Stripes: Ninety-six Top Designers and Graphic Artists Offer Their Personal Interpretations of Old Glory, TypeWise, Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag, The Pentagram Papers: A Collection of Thirty-six Papers, 100 American Flags: A Unique Collection of Old Glory Memorabilia, and 100 Baseball Icons: From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Archive. He also co-founded @Issue: The Journal of Business and Design with Delphine Hirasuna. Hinrichs has taught various graphic design courses at School of Visual Arts, California College of the Arts, and Academy of Art University.

In or about 1986, Kit Hinrichs and writer Delphine Hirasuna conceived of a magazine to bridge "designers and corporate clients, addressing the ever-present perception that neither party clearly understands what each other contributes to their intended collaboration." In 1994, Potlatch papers agreed to underwrite the project, and in 1995 the Corporate Design Foundation became involved as the official publisher of @Issue: The Journal of Business and Design. @Issue is focused on the "effective use of design in business," and includes case studies, interviews, and articles about client-designer collaborations. @Issue "was immediately embraced by the design and business communities because it was the only publication that really addressed how design directly impacts businesses and their brands." In 2006, @Issue 's circulation (available only by subscription) reached 100,000, and a spinoff conference was started. In 2009, @Issue transformed from a printed publication to a digital platform.

Kit Hinrichs collects American flags and American flag memorabilia, and owns thousands of objects that have formed the basis of several exhibitions and books. His collection has been exhibited by the Smithsonian Institution, the Mercer Museum, and the Nevada Museum of Art. Hinrichs made a guest appearance on Martha Stewart's show Martha to discuss and present his American flag and ephemera collection. Kit Hinrichs has written and/or designed four books about the American flag: Stars & Stripes: Ninety-six Top Designers and Graphic Artists Offer Their Personal Interpretations of Old Glory, Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag, 100 American Flags: A Unique Collection of Old Glory Memorabilia, and The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict.