Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry, now outpacing Hollywood revenues. Teams of hundreds spend years perfecting immersive, amazing games with challenging levels, intricate storylines, and beloved characters. But the modern video game industry began with a little startup company called Atari.

Atari is a pop culture icon and darling of 80s retro culture, and had its roots in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. In researching and writing his book, Art of Atari — author and art director Tim Lapetino discovered how design and creativity were at the heart of the company’s success.

He will share stories about the virtually-unknown creative director of Atari, George Opperman, who designed the Atari logo — one of the most iconic logos of the 20th century. Atari was a hotbed of great illustration, graphic design and industrial design, but gets less notice because of its place in the video game ghetto of the 80s. Much of this groundbreaking work happened in San Francisco’s backyard, and the work coming in and out of Atari had a profound influence on design in the Bay Area. Tim will also be signing books at this event.

Tim Lapetino
Tim Lapetino is a designer, writer, and strategist, focusing on the intersection of design and popular culture. For nearly 20 years he has helped brands large and small tell compelling stories through design and marketing. He previously co-founded the design firm Hexanine, and is now Executive Director of the Museum of Video Game Art (MOVA). In addition to writing and art directing Art of Atari, Tim is co-author of Damn Good: Top Designers Discuss Their All-Time Favorite Projects by HOW Books. He served as an AIGA Chicago Executive Board member and is design director at the packaging and identity design firm, Seedhouse. He is currently at work on a book about the pioneering illustrator Arthur Radebaugh.

Evelyn Seto
Evelyn Seto, Former designer at Atari, She served as a graphic designer and senior designer supervisor at Atari from 1976-1983. Evelyn will join Tim as part of the event, doing Q&A and conversation.

If you need special assistance to participate in this program, please contact AIGA SF at aiga@aigasf.org or 415-626-6008. For reasonable assistance accommodations to be provided, please RSVP for the event and notify us at least 2 weeks in advance. If we do not receive timely notification of your reasonable request, we may not be able to make the necessary arrangements by the time of the event.

More information about accessibility, public transportation and parking.