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Michael Gross, designer of ‘Ghostbusters’ logo, dies at 70
The article is dated November 24, but the obituary, identical to this, was in the print edition this morning, December 2.
Trigger warning: the easily offended are best advised to find some other post to read, starting right now. National Lampoon didn't care who (sorry, "whom"
they offended back when they started.
Michael Gross, designer of ‘Ghostbusters’ logo, dies at 70
By Steve Chawkins November 24
When Michael Gross designed what became the famous “Ghostbusters” film logo, he had no idea it would take flight the way it did. ... The logo is called “No Ghosts” and features an anxious-looking spook in a red circle reaching past a diagonal red bar.
....
For years, No Ghosts was everywhere. In 2012, Pratt Institute, the New York City art school where Mr. Gross trained, declared it one of the 125 most famous designs by alumni or faculty. In an alumni vote, it was deemed the most admired, beating out the Chrysler Building, the Scrabble board and the IBM logo.
Mr. Gross, an art director who designed memorable covers for National Lampoon magazine before heading for Hollywood and producing films, died Nov. 16 at his home in Oceanside, Calif. He was 70. ... Mr. Gross had cancer, said his son Dylan Goss, an aerial photography director who changed his last name.
....
National Lampoon cover in January 1973. (National Lampoon)
....
Perhaps his best known was the cover for the January 1973 Death issue — a photograph of a cute little dog with a gun pressed against its head, along with a warning: “If you don’t buy this magazine, we’ll kill this dog.” ... It was originally supposed to be a subscription ad on an inside page, followed the next month with an ad featuring a supposedly doomed cat. But Lampoon editors decided that the dog, which was rented for the photo shoot, would make an ideal cover for an edition designed to sting death itself.
....
— Los Angeles Times
By Steve Chawkins November 24
When Michael Gross designed what became the famous “Ghostbusters” film logo, he had no idea it would take flight the way it did. ... The logo is called “No Ghosts” and features an anxious-looking spook in a red circle reaching past a diagonal red bar.
....
For years, No Ghosts was everywhere. In 2012, Pratt Institute, the New York City art school where Mr. Gross trained, declared it one of the 125 most famous designs by alumni or faculty. In an alumni vote, it was deemed the most admired, beating out the Chrysler Building, the Scrabble board and the IBM logo.
Mr. Gross, an art director who designed memorable covers for National Lampoon magazine before heading for Hollywood and producing films, died Nov. 16 at his home in Oceanside, Calif. He was 70. ... Mr. Gross had cancer, said his son Dylan Goss, an aerial photography director who changed his last name.
....
National Lampoon cover in January 1973. (National Lampoon)
....
Perhaps his best known was the cover for the January 1973 Death issue — a photograph of a cute little dog with a gun pressed against its head, along with a warning: “If you don’t buy this magazine, we’ll kill this dog.” ... It was originally supposed to be a subscription ad on an inside page, followed the next month with an ad featuring a supposedly doomed cat. But Lampoon editors decided that the dog, which was rented for the photo shoot, would make an ideal cover for an edition designed to sting death itself.
....
— Los Angeles Times
I have that issue, and I was going to post the illustration in another regard. It was not included in the print edition obituary.
Print magazine talks to Art Director Michael Gross
By Dabitch on 17 Nov 2015
It would be such a shame if you guys missed out on The Cutting Humor of Art Director Michael Gross, so here we are pointing you in the direction of Print magazine so that you don't. Michael Gross also made the kill this dog cover, often referenced here in Adland be it via failed lamb hoof ad agency mailings or when I parodied it when a magazine spelled my name wrong, and he also created the "If Ted Kennedy drove a VW" ad.
Gross and the crew at the National Lampoon reigned supreme with their skillfully executed parodies and sharp wit, that looked the part every time. Sadly, Gross says there's been a decline in ideas as of late, and I can only agree with him.
....
Full interview at Print magazine.
By Dabitch on 17 Nov 2015
It would be such a shame if you guys missed out on The Cutting Humor of Art Director Michael Gross, so here we are pointing you in the direction of Print magazine so that you don't. Michael Gross also made the kill this dog cover, often referenced here in Adland be it via failed lamb hoof ad agency mailings or when I parodied it when a magazine spelled my name wrong, and he also created the "If Ted Kennedy drove a VW" ad.
Gross and the crew at the National Lampoon reigned supreme with their skillfully executed parodies and sharp wit, that looked the part every time. Sadly, Gross says there's been a decline in ideas as of late, and I can only agree with him.
....
Full interview at Print magazine.
Search Google Images for Michael Gross National Lampoon
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