Remembering Tom Ingalls (1949-2024)

This piece was written by Kit Hinrichs, Principal and Creative Director of Studio Hinrichs in San Francisco. Hinrichs is a recipient of the prestigious AIGA medal in recognition of his exceptional achievements in the field of graphic design and visual communication, and his work is included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Library of Congress. He is co-author of four books, including Typewise, Long May She Wave, 100 American Flag Icons, and The Pentagram Papers.

It is with sorrow that our future AIGA San Francisco Design events, San Francisco Center for the Book openings, and California College of the Arts gatherings will be without Tom Ingalls. He had a warm smile, infectious laugh, and effervescent spirit that will be greatly missed. Tom left us on the afternoon of April 10, surrounded by his sister and close friends.

Tom’s accomplishments were many. From the moment he arrived in the Golden State during the 1970s, when he received his Master of Fine Art from California Institute of the Arts, he was a star. Tom began his rapid rise in design, first as an in-house designer at Los Angeles County Museum of Art then expanding to a publishing career at the Los Angeles Magazine, Outside Magazine, and Rolling Stone.

When “the Michael’s” (Vanderbyl and Manwaring) recommended that he come north and teach at California College of the Arts, he took on the challenge with great zeal and spent the subsequent 40 years tutoring the next generation of Bay Area designers.

In the 80s, he was a founding member of the San Francisco AIGA Chapter. Many years later, he was honored as an AIGA Fellow for his “contribution to raising the standards of excellence within the design community.” A well-earned recognition of his passion for the printed word.

Not satisfied with running his own design office and teaching, he expanded his interests to include another of his loves—food. Tom always liked to combine his work and play whenever he could, so it was only a matter of time before his love for designing and collecting cookbooks merged with his pursuit of new ways to grill, scramble, roast, or sauté. His seemingly endless joy from finding the best, most unique butcher, baker, and sausage maker in San Francisco could only be surpassed if he could engage you in his journey of discovery.

Tom’s other passion was golf. He didn’t agree with the oft-quoted “a good walk spoiled,” as Tom just loved playing, be it in the Bay Area at Berkeley Country Club (where he also designed the logo) or anywhere he traveled that had lush greens, 18 holes, and a great grill. Again, his love of design and golf were intertwined with Missing Links Press, where he published a range of fine art and design books, many including poetry.

Tom was always warm, generous, and inclusive in every social situation. You were never alone when he was with you. Once, for a July exhibition opening at the San Francisco Center for the Book, which featured my collection of Flags on Paper, Tom volunteered to be the grill master—complete with chef’s tools and aprons—coaxing my son Christopher into being his sous-chef. His generosity made our evening so much more special. Thank you, Tom.

Tom will be missed by all: those who spent just 15 minutes with him, enjoyed a round of golf with him, or shared a lifetime with him. He lives on through everyone he taught or shared a meal with.

I will remember him as a great designer, colleague, and friend.

Photographs courtesy of Petrula Vrontikis