Cheryl D. Holmes Miller

Biography

Cheryl D. Holmes Miller is an American graphic designer, Christian minister, writer, artist, theologian, and graphic design historian. A pioneering advocate for racial and gender equality in the graphic design industry, she established one of the first Black women-owned design firms in New York City in 1984. Her academic journey spans several prestigious institutions, including the Maryland Institute College of Art, Pratt Institute, the Rhode Island School of Design, and Union Theological Seminary.

Miller’s early career in broadcast design led her to create iconic works, including the logo and branding for BET. In 1987, her groundbreaking article "Black Designers Missing in Action," published by Print Magazine, ignited industry-wide conversations about the lack of diversity in graphic design. Her research and writing, including later works like "Embracing Cultural Diversity in Design," laid the foundation for greater inclusion and helped form the basis for AIGA’s Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce. Her work has been preserved in the Cheryl D. Miller Collection at Stanford University, highlighting her lasting influence on the field.

In recent years, Miller has focused on decolonizing the history of graphic design, creating a curated database, The History of Black Graphic Design. Her book, Here: Where the Black Designers Are, was published in 2024. Her call to rethink traditional design principles, such as the Swiss grid and mid-century modernist aesthetics, reflects her desire to challenge symbols of exclusion in the industry. Throughout her career, she has worked with high-profile clients, including NASA and American Express, and her personal collection has been acquired by prominent institutions such as Stanford University Libraries and The Poster House in New York.