Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Alvin Eisenman was truly a gentleman and a scholar. I was one of his students in the graphic design program at Yale; he and the distinguished group of leading professionals he gathered together to form the program’s faculty guided me and my fellow classmates into the world of design and opened ways of seeing, organizing and communicating that informed my 45-year career in graphic design — and continue to inspire and direct my outlook on the world.

Back in my undergraduate days at Yale, I was vacillating between architecture and graphic design. Alvin explained to me that architects build houses for people; designers build houses for ideas. I was hooked.

I am so indebted to Professor Eisenman and so fortunate to have experienced his tutelage.

Thank you and God bless.

Stephen D. Chapman
West Tisbury