michele and gavin cooper

Michele and Gavin Cooper met during a happy hour for designers. When they married, they vowed never to work together. The result is Cooper Graphic Design, a husband-and-wife design firm based in Philadelphia PA. The Coopers each bring a unique and innovative approach to design and have achieved a great deal of professional success through their collaboration. Michele is an active participant in AIGA Philadelphia and the Diversity Task Force of AIGA National. Gavin is a professor of design principles and web strategy at the University of Pennsylvania.

Is graphic design a growth industry? Mainstream society has begun to recognize the importance of communicating through good design. Designers make communication relevant, and when a vehicle for communication is fully developed and well designed, it generates an experience that fosters legitimacy and trust. People are also discovering that, when collaborating with designers who understand their role to be integral to the communication process, they get an amazing product.

Do graphic designers have a special responsibility to promote a green society? Absolutely. For us, it's not just about paper and ink. We always strive to develop creative and efficient communication practices and promote green design. All of our designs are sustainably produced. We also foster a green lifestyle at work by recycling office supplies, using local vendors and cutting down on our commute — our studio is also our home.