Paul Souza
Years at WGBH
- 1977 – 1993
Titles
- Design Director, Interactive Projects Group – 1992 – 1993
- Co-Director, WGBH Design Lab – 1990 – 1992
- Senior Designer – 1977 – 1990
Profile
Primary mover in introducing computers into the WGBH print, video, and multimedia design and production process.
Since 1986, focused on computer-based multimedia projects, including the landmark Interactive NOVA: Animal Pathfinders.
Designed and produced print and video elements for programs including Frontline, KnowZone, NOVA, The Ten O’Clock News, This Old House, War, and Peace in the Nuclear Age and WGBH on-air breaks and promotion, frequently using innovative computer animation.
I remember Paul roller skating in studio A at one or more of our annual parties – a clown with grace. I also remember a beautiful painting by him. – large, mostly gray, a street and telephone wires – bought by CarolineCollins another very memorable WGBHer!
Paul was indeed a principal advocate for for the shift from Digital Equipment word processors to Apple Macs. The design department was the early adopter and by the late 80’s (by Apple’s own account) WGBH had the highest per capita installation of Macs of any company in the country. Certain people just have digital in their blood. I remember, shortly after getting our first Mac Classics Paul was weeks into a huge experimental project for NOVA when everything on his screen went blank in a puff of smoke. Instead of slitting his wrists (as I would have done), his eyes lit up and he leaned forward and exclaimed “Wow! That’s interesting! I wonder how THAT happened??” His complex, beautiful and thoughtful work for the Dubberly Design studio in SFO is a model of what digital design can be. He was a huge asset to WGBH when he was part of it.
Paul Souza – the real inventor of Trivial Pursuit!
Dear Paul Souza,
I remember with glee that back in the fun days, you got around 125 Western Avenue on roller skates. Very skilled and very stylish!
Hi Paul… I think I saw some of your animation tonight on a commercial for a bank.
Or else it was by Tom Snyder with his wigglevision ?