A Vision for My Father: The Life and Work of Palestinian-American Artist and Designer Rajie Cook

Graphic designer Cook traces the influence of his Palestinian heritage on his artistic career in this unwieldy mix of activist memoir and artist’s monograph. The son of Palestinian immigrants, Cook was born in Newark, N.J., and rose to prominence in the design world in the late 1960s as one half of Cook and Shanosky Associates, the design firm behind the universal pictograms adopted by the U.S. Department of Transportation for use in signage in public spaces. Cook chronicles his childhood, early influences, and his work in corporate design. The focus of the book, however, is his transformation from commercial graphic designer to political artist, spawned by his first trip to Palestine in 1981, where he witnessed “the anguish and wails of the Palestinian people.” Cook’s recollections ramble with unnecessary details, whether discussing the home-service bakery that delivered cupcakes to his Sunday school growing up or providing a play-by-play account of his travels. His art and design portfolio is easily the best part of the book, particularly the 80 pages showcasing the shadow box assemblages highlighting the emotional toll of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Palestinians. Cook’s book will appeal most to graphic designers interested in his career, but average readers will be disappointed in the narrative. (July)