Eddie Opara

Eddie Opara

Eddie Opara is a contemporary English-born America based graphic designer. His multifaceted work encompasses refreshing design, modern technology and strategy. He primarily focused on the projects involving the design of interactive installations, software, publication and packaging, brand identity and user interface.

In 1972, Eddie Opara born in Wandsworth, London. He received his formal art education from the London College of Printing and Yale University. There he majored in graphic design and earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1997. Upon post-graduation, he began his professional working for several firms including Ambassador Theater Group. Subsequently he moved to New York, United States, where he worked for Imaginary Forces. He continued to work vigorously and eventually received a job offer from 2×4. He was appointed the art director at this influential design studio.

Despite moving to America so early in his career, Opara believes that growing up in England did shape his style of design. He has utter faith in craftsmanship and England provided a great scope in all the areas of design and lifestyle. However, staying in America for about two decades rendered him to understand the concept of eclecticism and finally embrace it. According Opara, if he had an alternative career it would have been carpentry or architecture. Fate has brought Opara to United States and given him the opportunity to make a name for himself. His first step in this direction was establishing his own graphic design studio after leaving 2×4. He founded The Map Office in New York, in 2005.

Henceforth, Opara took up several design projects from a varying range of clients. They sought his assistance on packaging, brand identity and publication. Some of these clients include the Studio Museum in Harlem, Architecture Research Office, the Queens Museum of Art, St. Regis Hotels, Princeton Architectural Press, Jazz at Lincoln Center and New York University among many others. He developed a highly sophisticated, interactive, web-based content management system called MiG for his firm. The software enabled his clients to manage and publish their own content online.

Opara’s thriving work at The Map Office was followed by his appointment at the prestigious multidisciplinary and multinational design firm Pentagram, as a partner. He joined the New York office of Pentagram in the October of 2010. The team members from his studio whom he brought to this firm include software developer and designer Frank LaRocca, senior designer Raed Atoui and Brankica Harvey. Pentagram appreciated his multifaceted practice as it complemented with their multidisciplinary approach. Opara shared his views on joining the firm that he believes that it is indispensable for him to bring an assortment of design skills combined with genuine and novel ideas. In order to achieve that, he intends to build his compelling work around three crucial elements; technology, design and strategy.

Several noted art organizations across the globe recognized Eddie Opara’s artwork and conferred multiple accolades on him. He was presented Gold Cube from the Art Directors Club and other awards from American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and ID Magazine. He is a respected member of member of the Ailliance Graphique Internationale. In fact, the New York Chapter of AIGA brought him on board. Besides, he is a professor of narrative design at the University of the Arts and often attends the Yale School of Art as visiting critic. His artwork has appeared in numerous publications including I.D, Archis, Graphis and Surface.