Norman Perman was a Chicago-based modernist graphic designer whose work included everything from annual reports and book covers to packaging and trade show exhibits.

Perman was at the forefront of a group of artists, designers and photographers who helped make the corporate world comfortable with modernism as a design aesthetic. As Perman was starting his career in Chicago, Container Corporation of America CEO Walter Paepcke was starting to champion modernism, and with Paepcke as a patron and Chicago as a hub for the advertising, architecture and publishing industries, modernism began making its way into packaging, magazines, annual reports and education materials.

“He was a great designer and did some fabulous work,” said Jack Weiss of Evanston, like Perman a member of a group of commercial artists known as the 27 Designers. “He kept his business small so he could always be involved in every project that he did.”

Perman, 95, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease March 28 at his home in Lakeview, said his son, Jonathan.

Born Norman Wilford Perman in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, Perman graduated from Senn High School in 1945. He served from 1946 until 1947 in the Navy, and while enlisted he also attended the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington. He received a bachelor of fine arts degree in 1951 from the School of the Art Institute.

Perman worked as a design assistant for noted graphic designer and art collector Everett McNear, who was known for designing catalogs, posters and annual reports for the Art Institute of Chicago, among other clients. In 1952, Hugh Hefner invited Perman to interview for the job of art director for a new magazine he was developing called Playboy. Perman turned down the offer, his son said, because he wanted to strike out on his own.

In 1953, Norman Perman Advertising and Packaging Design opened in Streeterville. Perman designed annual reports for Abbott Laboratories, Ameritech, Inland Steel, American Hospital Supply, Baxter International and the Container Corporation of America. He also designed school textbooks for Scott Foresman and Co., packaging for Skil power tools, and he oversaw design for Tennis magazine, which at that time was based in Chicago.

Perman took a hands-on approach to design, said Ellen Mrazek, his graphic design assistant from 1982 until 1984.

“(I) got to prepare all the boards and make all the type changes for the annual reports … to send to the printer. I got to observe everything from how he created his original sketches … to art directing photo shoots,” Mrazek said. “But I got so much more than technical and design skills from Norman. He loved art in every form.”

Perman had the trust of clients and was given the latitude to create designs “that were imaginative, inspiring and original,” his son said. He also enjoyed the camaraderie of the Chicago graphic design community.

To that end, Perman was part of a local collective of commercial artists called the 27 Designers, who met regularly and published a book each year that presented their individual talents and abilities to potential clients. Others in 27 Designers, which dissolved in 1991, included Playboy’s founding art director Art Paul — who was a close friend — as well as George Suyeoka and Carol Naughton.

Perman also worked as a guest lecturer at the University of Illinois-Chicago and was president of the Society of Typographic Arts. He also was active in the Arts Club of Chicago, where he chaired the club’s exhibition committee.

Perman retired around 2000, and in addition to travel indulged in cultural passions such as music, theatre, opera and museums. He and his wife were longtime patrons of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera and the Art Institute of Chicago.

In addition to his son, Perman is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lorraine; a daughter, Margot; a brother, Arnold; and three grandchildren.

Services were held.

Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.

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