March 31, 2008
After graduating from the University of the Arts, Joe Simboli opened a freelance studio in Philadelphia. After working as an art director for Ladies Home Journal and an advertising agency, Gerry joined him at Simboli Design and they began a career in design that has taken many forms.
They have produced art and illustrations, as well as many product designs and posters for agencies, pharmaceutical and publishing companies and the Franklin Mint. Joe represented the United States in an international poster competition for the United Nations. Gerry became an art consultant for the world famous Longwood Gardens, designing books, posters, a ten-nation Worldfare display, many of their topiary animals and two of their Christmas displays.
Their portfolio includes many products for children, including a dexterity toy manufactured by Creative Playthings and a "fool the eye" card game, published by Cadaco Company. Additionally, they designed lines of collector doll furniture for Reed and Barton and Madame Alexander Doll Company.
In 1969, Poster Prints commissioned Simboli Design to create a line of very graphically strong and colorful zodiac posters, which were were sold worldwide. Recently, Paul Smith Ltd., a leading fashion designer based in the UK, found the posters on a website in California. They were used for a line of casual clothing and were featured on the Neiman Marcus website, as well as in a NM catalog.
