| John Van Hamersveld was born in 1941 in Baltimore, MD. He both attended and taught at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and the California Institute of the Arts. His earliest positions were as art director of Surfer Magazine and at Capitol Records. Johns experience has spanned album cover, poster, packaging, industrial and magazine & book design. John has designed over 300 album covers since the 60s for groups like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Blondie, Kiss, Public Image and many others. His album covers include Exile on Main Street and Magical Mystery Tour. His 360° mural at the Los Angeles Coliseum, executed for the 1984 Olympic Games won him national recognition by the American Institute of Architects. His work as part of the concert promotion company Pinnacle resulted in one of Johns most enduring body of posters, including what is widely considered one of the greatest rock posters ever made, for Jimi Hendrix at LAs Shrine Auditorium. John van Hamersveld created a visual relic of Southern California's 20th century history with his black light poster for the classic surf film, Endless Summer which is one of the most popular and recognizable poster images of all time. |
