Paula Scher’s original napkin logo sketch. Michael Bierut talks about it:
When Citibank merged with Travelers back in 1998. On the very first meeting of the first day they worked on the project, Bierut doodled the “T” of the word “Travelers” as an umbrella handle. Now, he said, you see pretty much that exact idea everywhere. “99% of the word was done on the first morning.” He also good-humoredly acknowledged that partner Paula Scher insists she did the fateful doodle.
Has anyone ever seen the original (back of an napkin) design for BBC’s Television Center in London. Very similar moment of genius.