Alina Wheeler

Alina Wheeler, a beacon of creativity and innovation in the world of branding and design, passed away peacefully at her home in Philadelphia on December 5, 2023, surrounded by her loving husband, Ed, and daughters, Tearson and Tessa.

Born on October 14, 1948, in South Orange, New Jersey, to Stanley and Leonarda Radziejowski, she grew up with her beloved Polish cousins and her younger brother Stanley.

Alina graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 1970, and in 2012 received the university's Silver Star, an award given to outstanding alumni. In 1980, she co-founded Katz Wheeler, one of Philadelphia's top graphic design firms until its dissolution in 1993. In 2003, she published Designing Brand Identity, which quickly became an industry standard-now in its sixth edition, the book is available in eleven languages and has consistently held a position on Amazon's best seller list. Notably, in Wikipedia under "Corporate Identity," it is cited as further reading. In 2011 she co-authored Brand Atlas: Branding Intelligence Made Visible, a comprehensive guide to the brand process enriched with illustrative diagrams.

Alina was committed to design leadership throughout her life. In 1980 she was a founding board member of AIGA Philadelphia, and became its president in 1985. She served on AIGA's national board from 1991 to 1994, and was honored as an AIGA Fellow in 1999, the inaugural year of this prestigious award. In 2020 she was a founding board member of African Design Matters, a global partnership cataloguing the creative work of people of African descent.

As a designer, consultant, author, and entrepreneur, she influenced design professionals the world over-in one week, she was contacted by an entrepreneur in Bavaria, a business owner in Barcelona, a brand strategist in India, and design firms in Ghana and Dubai. At the end of her life countless individuals reached out to express their gratitude, crediting her with launching their careers or businesses. One such testament is a young designer from Ghana who she mentored, and who is now pursuing an MFA at Yale. For a glimpse into Alina's brilliance, one need only listen to her 2021 interview with Rob Meyerson on the podcast How Brands Are Built [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdzI9hZI4iM].

Half of each year, Alina found solace at Skylight, her home in Keene Valley, New York, surrounded by cherished friends and the mountains she held dear.

In remembering Alina, we honor a luminary whose impact radiates through the world of design and beyond-a legacy of inspiration, mentorship, and unwavering dedication. She is survived by her husband Ed Wheeler, daughters Tearson Wheeler Morrison and Tessa Wheeler, and grandsons Aiden and Easton Morrison.

A celebration of Alina's life will be held on January 27, 2024, at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. An additional celebration will be held in Keene Valley, with date and location to be determined.