Lippincott
  • Work
  • Insights
  • About
Lippincott
Lippincott
  • Work
  • Careers
  • Insights
  • People
  • About
  • Contact
  • Locations
  • News
  • Pro Bono Work
  • Ventures
  • 中文
  • 한국어
New York

Rodney Abbot

Senior Partner, Design

Little surprise that Rodney is a senior lecturer and guest critic at two of the foremost university design programs in the world.

In 25+ years at Lippincott, while leading initiatives for Dell, IBM, Johnson Controls, Monotype, Nissan, Sprint, Visa and other iconic brands, Rodney has passionately advanced the art and science of design exploration with the integration of business strategy. He has written extensively on identity, experience and expression, and his brand renewal of Southwest Airlines was one of the most awarded programs in recent history.

How long have you been at Lippincott?

Twenty-five years.

Which projects have been the most meaningful to you and why?

Southwest Airlines was definitely a career high. I was shown tremendous trust and support by everyone at Southwest, especially the leadership team. Monotype’s Pencil to Pixel exhibit is also a favorite. The chance to develop an exhibit focused purely on typography was a rare treat. And finally, producing a book compilation of Lippincott Sense Magazines, going back to the first issue in 1956, gave me the opportunity to pay homage to the incredible legacy of our firm.

Being a Lippincott’er means:

Not resting till everyone on the team loves the work.

If you weren’t in this profession, what would you be?

As a kid I dreamed of becoming a National Geographic photographer. Then I discovered graphic design.

What’s your happy place?

Anytime I’m on a surfboard.

What’s your favorite place you've traveled to?

Going back to New Zealand is still my favorite. Even after more than 25 years in the United States, the landscape still feels like home.

  • Education

    M.F.A. Graphic Design, Yale University
    B.F.A. Graphic Design, University of Canterbury

  • Work Experience

    Designer, Peter Haythornthwaite Design
    Senior Lecturer, UArts, Philadelphia

  • Connect

    LinkedIn

Insights

  • Sense Perspective

    Design Doing

    Over the last 70 years of design here at Lippincott, we’ve learned that the doing is just as important as the thinking. In this piece, we lay out the precepts and principles of the craft itself — the meticulous exercise of converting strategies to beautiful, simple and meaningful work.

  • Article

    The fonts that will make your brand trustworthy
  • Sense Perspective

    Enter the Catalyst

    With purpose, we clarify direction, unite action and cater to customers in the most effective ways. Learn how to energize your brand’s purpose and accelerate results.

  • Senior Partner Rodney Abbot's sketch book showing early drafts of the Southwest Airlines Heart logoSenior Partner Rodney Abbot's sketch book showing early drafts of the Southwest Airlines Heart logo

    Article

    How brands can use research to hone a design or logo
  • logo design processlogo design process

    Article

    Is it time for your brand system to evolve?

Related News

  • Rodney Abbot on creating a logo and the impact of visual storytelling

    Sterling Marketing Group

  • Rodney Abbot, Brendán Murphy, & Jung Kwon explore best practices for type design

    The Drum

  • Brendán Murphy and Rodney Abbot unpack how brands can use research to hone a logo

    Adweek

  • Rodney Abbot explains why Southwest Airlines created a custom typeface

    The New York Times

More people
Outdoor photo of Alissa Tribelli, Partner of Brand Strategy at Lippincott

Alissa Tribelli

Partner, Brand Strategy

Outdoor photo of Alex Paine, Senior Associate at Lippincott

Alex Paine

Partner, Brand Strategy

Steve Radzinski

Senior Associate, Brand Strategy

  • Partner with us

    Get in touch
  • Join us

    Find your role
  • Subscribe

    By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.

  • Follow

  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Locations
  • News & Awards
  • People
  • Pro Bono
  • 中文
  • 한국어
  • © 2023 Lippincott
  • Site Directory
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Notice