J.E.H. MacDonald, designer

by R. H. Stacey

"Though better known as a brilliant landscape painter, J. E. H. MacDonald (1873-1932) was arguably Canada's first professional graphic designer, as we understand that term today - and one of the most versatile and gifted this country has produced. Heavily influenced by such leaders of the international Arts and Crafts movement as William Morris, Walter Crane and John Ruskin and their major Canadian disciples, A. H. Howard, Robert Holmes and G. A. Reid, MacDonald carved out an original path for himself by incorporating native Canadian elements into his designs for books, magazine illustrations, bookplates, lettering, armorial bearings, illuminated presentation addresses, wall-plaques and signs, word-marks, and a host of other applications.". "As senior designer at Toronto's prestigious Grip Ltd., MacDonald presided over the talented studio of artists who, meeting regularly at the Arts and Letters Club, banded together in 1920 as the Group of Seven. Although he quit Grip in 1912 to paint