Somber news out of Utah where Ted Nagata passed away last month at age 89. Ted is the man behind Snowbird’s iconic logo. Nagata, who is of Japanese descent, started his life in Berkeley, California but during World War II at age 7 he was unconstitutionally incarcerated in internment camp in Topaz, Utah. He was release at age 10 and went on to pursue his passion for art with a Master’s Degree in Commercial Art from the University of Utah.
Nagata worked for the Salt Lake-based firm Bailey & Montague before launching his own business in 1962. It was then that Nagata received his new company’s first client, Snowbird Ski Resort. He drew the original logo at his breakfast table. It was the first and final design that he came up with.
“The ‘bird’ idea could not be overlooked and somehow, transforming the wings of a bird into a dynamic shape seemed to be in the right direction. And, continuing the year-round theme of blue for winter and green for summer, appeared as a given.” -Ted Nagata
Nagata felt so strongly about the logo he presented his clients with only one option and they bought it. The Snowbird wings logo has gone on to become iconic in the industry and will serve as a lasting legacy to a brilliant man.
