TLDR Design · MISCELLANEOUS

A DESIGNER OF THE WORLD'S MOST UBIQUITOUS SYMBOLS, THE MOVIE

printmag.com6 min read

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Filmmaker Valentina Canavesio is creating a documentary about Roger Cook (1930-2021), the designer behind the ubiquitous Department of Transportation symbols who remains largely unknown despite his significant contributions. The film reveals that Cook's real name was Rajie and his parents were Christian Palestinian immigrants, a heritage he reconnected with later in life, which transformed his work into social commentary about Palestinian struggles. Canavesio discovered this story through Instagram and was motivated to share this humanizing Palestinian-American immigrant story.