Dorothy Hayes

Dorothy Hayes was an American graphic designer and educator. Born on December 1, 1935, in Mobile, Alabama, she graduated from Alabama State College. In 1958, she moved to New York to study at the Cooper Union School of Art. In 1967 she earned a degree in graphic design. Regarding her early employment in the design field, she stated:

“I was employed by a well-known broadcasting company and led to believe that I would hold a design position, yet I was never allowed to do anything but non-creative work. I was frankly told that my employment was simply a form of tokenism.”

In an effort to support and advocate for other black designers, she co-curated the 'Black Artists in Graphic Communication' exhibition, showcasing 49 Black graphic designers and artists.

Hayes also served as a professor of art and advertising design at New York Technical College while establishing her own design practice, Dorothy's Door, a commercial design agency.