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Agha, M.F. (Mehemed Fehmy) [1896-1978. Russia/France/USA. Graphic Designer/Art Director]
Agha, M.F. (Mehemed Fehmy) [1896-1978. Russia/France/USA. Graphic Designer/Art Director]
Mehemed Fehm Agha [commonly known as M.F. Agha; also known as Agha] was born to Turkish parents in Nikolaieff, Russia, on 11 March 1896 and studied at the Technical College Emperor Alexander III in Nikolaieff (1909-13); the Polytechnic Institute in Petrograd, Russia (1914-18); and at the Ecole Nationale des Langues Orientales Vivantes in Paris (1923). He subsequently worked as studio chief with Dorland Advertising in Paris (1924-27) and then chief assistant and layout artist with the German edition of 'Vogue' in Berlin (1927-29).
In 1929 he was invited to New York to work on the American edition of 'Vogue' by the publisher of Condé Nast and Alexey Brodovitch. Agha later also worked on the Condé Nast publications 'Vanity Fair' and 'House and Garden'. Not only did Agha transform the design and layout of these magazines, but he commissioned work by some of the leading contemporary photographers including Cecil Beaton, Edward Weston, Edward Steichen, Louise Dahl-Wolfe. He was also instrumental in appointing Cipe Pineles as assistant art director of 'Vogue' in 1933. Pineles later said that she "learned everything" from Agha.
In 1943 Agha left Condé Nast to open his own design studio in New York which he ran until 1970. His clients included Bloomingdale's, Franklin Simon, and Saks Fifth Avenue. In addition acted as consultant for the magazines 'Seventeen', 'Better Homes and Gardens', 'McCall's', and 'Newsweek'.
A long-time member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), he was its President in 1943-45 and 1953-55 and was awarded the AIGA Gold Medal in 1957. He was also president of the Art Directors Club of New York in 1934-35.
Agha became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1936. He died in Malvern, Pennsylvania, on 27 May 1978.
DESIGN RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (DRP) ©
In 1929 he was invited to New York to work on the American edition of 'Vogue' by the publisher of Condé Nast and Alexey Brodovitch. Agha later also worked on the Condé Nast publications 'Vanity Fair' and 'House and Garden'. Not only did Agha transform the design and layout of these magazines, but he commissioned work by some of the leading contemporary photographers including Cecil Beaton, Edward Weston, Edward Steichen, Louise Dahl-Wolfe. He was also instrumental in appointing Cipe Pineles as assistant art director of 'Vogue' in 1933. Pineles later said that she "learned everything" from Agha.
In 1943 Agha left Condé Nast to open his own design studio in New York which he ran until 1970. His clients included Bloomingdale's, Franklin Simon, and Saks Fifth Avenue. In addition acted as consultant for the magazines 'Seventeen', 'Better Homes and Gardens', 'McCall's', and 'Newsweek'.
A long-time member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), he was its President in 1943-45 and 1953-55 and was awarded the AIGA Gold Medal in 1957. He was also president of the Art Directors Club of New York in 1934-35.
Agha became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1936. He died in Malvern, Pennsylvania, on 27 May 1978.
DESIGN RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (DRP) ©
Cover of Vanity Fair, January 1930, designed by M. F. Agha
Bibliography
1. Remington, R. Roger and Bodenstedt, Lisa. American modernism: graphic design 1920 to 1960 London: Laurence King Publishing, 2003
2. Remington, R. Roger and Hodik, Barbara J. Nine pioneers in American graphic design. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1989
1. Remington, R. Roger and Bodenstedt, Lisa. American modernism: graphic design 1920 to 1960 London: Laurence King Publishing, 2003
2. Remington, R. Roger and Hodik, Barbara J. Nine pioneers in American graphic design. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1989
