Early Years (1972–1975)

by Phillip Collier

April 27, 2026

After graduating from Auburn University, in 1971, I had a short stint as a medical illustrator at the University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center.

My next job was art director with Sankey 2 Advertising Agency located in Mountain Brook, Alabama. The agency was owned by bothers Phil and Joe Sankey. 

Phil was the creative director and had worked for the ABC television art department in New York previously. I was still pretty green and Phil taught me about typography and how to be an art director and designer. I was still wanting to be an illustrator, so I put my illustrations in most of the work I created. Phil was the  most important mentor in my career and gave  me  a true understanding of what graphic design was. Though I would move to New Orleans in 1975, we would remain close friends for the next fifty years until his passing 2025. He always wanted to know what projects I was working on and I always wanted his opinions and thoughts. He will be missed.

Brochure for graduate optics degree at the University of Alabama
Design and illustration for new insurance firm ad
Design and illustration of self promotion poster for Sankey 2
Design and illustration for Protective Life Insurance Company ad
Ad for upscale men’s clothing store
Design and illustration of poster for South Central Bell customers
Design and illustration of internal poster for South Central Bell employees
Design and illustration of internal poster for South Central Bell employees;
printed on craft paper
Phil Sankey, early 1970s