High and Low Culture - Graphic Designers

Alexey Brodovitch
Alexey Brodovitch was best known for the art direction of Harpers Bazaar from 1938 to 1958. Through his art direction and editorial, he successfully communicated the high fashion and cultural content of the famous magazine in a visually innovative and beautiful way through, saving the magazines pages from generic and boring layouts.

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/magazine/140-years/bazaar-140-0607

http://www.designishistory.com/1940/alexey-brodovitch/

http://www.aiga.org/medalist-alexeybrodovitch/

http://inspirationlab.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/alexey-brodovitch-†/

Milton Glaser

Milton Glaser is famous for creating one of the most ubiquitous and successful advertising campaigns in popular culture  - I Love NY, which is still being used and referenced to this day. He has previously voiced his opinions on the divide between high art and low culture, and he designs solely for the setting of  'low' popular culture. 

http://www.miltonglaser.com/

http://www.designboom.com/eng/interview/glaser.html

http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=2188

http://www.fastcompany.com/multimedia/slideshows/content/milton-glaser.aspx?page=3

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-features/8303867/Milton-Glaser-his-heart-was-in-the-right-place.html

Dave Perillo
Dave Perillo's work is quite clearly influenced by popular culture, which he translates into fun and vibrant illustrations, that celebrate pop culture and often evoke nostalgia. This is enhanced by his particular illustration style, which is similar to that of famous American cartoon studio Hanna Barbera.

http://montygog.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.fuelyourillustration.com/interview-w-dave-perillo-illustrator-and-pop-culture-connoisseur/

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/12/11/david-perillo-art/

Jonny Etc

Jonny Etc's style of design uses a mix of wit and irony to celebrate both past and present popular culture references, mainly from television shows. 

http://www.jonnyetc.com/

http://www.behance.net/jonnyetc

http://www.vulture.com/2012/04/community-posters-team-pillowmen-or-team-blanketeers.html

http://www.bloodyloud.com/pop-culture-ice-cream-jon-defreest/

http://thedailybunch.com/post/12869132684/pop-culture-ice-creams-by-jon-defreest

Stefan Sagmeister

Stefan Sagmeister's work definitely reflects and represents a more conceptual and typically fine art stance within graphic design, instead of simply designing for commercial use, he explores unique ways of communicating with audiences, such as carving an advertisement for a speaking engagement into his body. 

http://www.sagmeister.com/

http://designmuseum.org/design/stefan-sagmeister

http://www.designboom.com/eng/interview/sagmeister.html

http://www.wallpaper.com/art/stefan-sagmeister-interview/1661

http://ambidextrousmag.org/issues/10/sagmeister.html