Icons in Place: Clifford Selbert & Robin Perkins on the Power of Placemaking

August 27, 2025

Cybelle Jones

Episode 8: Voices of Experience with Clifford Selbert & Robin Perkins of Selbert Perkins Design

For more than three decades, Clifford Selbert and Robin Perkins—co-founders of Selbert Perkins Design and 2011 SEGD Fellows—have been answering that question with visionary projects that shape the identity of cities and communities around the globe. Their practice redefined what environmental graphic design could be, extending the discipline into placemaking, art, and civic storytelling.

From the illuminated pylons of Los Angeles International Airport to the Pacific Design Center and civic landmarks worldwide, their projects are not just wayfinding systems or signs—they are cultural symbols, embedded in memory and place.

Expanding the Boundaries of Environmental Design

Founded on the belief that design can transform how people connect to the built environment, Selbert Perkins Design has grown into a global practice with studios in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Shanghai. Their work integrates branding, wayfinding, and large-scale placemaking, turning public infrastructure into canvases for identity and civic pride.

Among their most iconic projects is the Los Angeles International Airport Gateway, where a ring of soaring illuminated pylons has become a defining symbol of the city itself. Other landmarks include the Pacific Design Center sculptures, Las Vegas Gateway Arches, and public installations worldwide—projects that prove design can transcend utility to become meaningful public art.

“Our work has always been about creating memorable landmarks that stand the test of time,” Cliff reflects. “Design should connect deeply with the culture of a place, celebrate its spirit, and become a meaningful part of daily life.”

A Partnership of Vision and Strategy

Cliff, a licensed landscape architect, consistently expanded design beyond traditional boundaries, merging architecture, landscape, and communication. Robin, a graphic designer and sculptor, brought a complementary vision— balancing creativity with strategy, and positioning design as a catalyst for civic engagement.

At the heart of their collaboration is storytelling. “We immerse ourselves in the culture of each project,” Robin says, “drawing from its history and identity to create something that feels authentic, inclusive, and inspiring.”

Their combined approach has cultivated a portfolio that is both visually striking and deeply human. As Robin notes: “Scale is critical. We’re always thinking about how something will resonate from a distance, how it will be experienced over time, and how it can create a lasting emotional connection.”

Impact on the Profession and SEGD

Both Cliff and Robin were named SEGD Fellows in 2011, honoring their pioneering contributions to the field. Their influence extends beyond their projects—into mentorship, leadership, and advocacy that have shaped the SEGD community. Robin has served on the SEGD Board, juried global design competitions, and advanced the visibility of design as civic practice. Cliff has championed design education and consistently pushed the profession to embrace scale and vision.

SPD is also a certified Woman-Owned, WBE, and SBE/LBE business, underscoring their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their mentorship has inspired generations of designers who now carry forward their ethos of innovation and community impact.

A Legacy That Lasts

With a practice that bridges art and infrastructure, storytelling and placemaking, Clifford Selbert and Robin Perkins have proven that design is more than problem-solving—it is about creating enduring symbols that elevate the human experience.

“Design has the power to transform the way we feel about our cities, our communities, and ourselves,” Robin reflects. “That’s the responsibility and the joy of this work.”

Their legacy is visible in the cultural landscapes they’ve shaped, in the city gateways and civic landmarks people encounter every day, and in the designers they’ve mentored along the way. It’s a testament to how two voices, working together, expanded the spectrum of what experience design can achieve.

---

Episode 8: SEGD’s Voices of Experience with Clifford Selbert & Robin Perkins

In the eighth episode of SEGD’s Voices of Experience series, Clifford Selbert and Robin Perkins—2011 SEGD Fellows and co-founders of Selbert Perkins Design—reflect on how placemaking, storytelling, and scale can transform cities. In this short film, they share lessons from iconic projects like the LAX Gateway and offer insights on creating landmarks that continue to inspire connection and pride.

Filmed and produced by Lorem Ipsum on behalf of SEGD

Watch the eihgth episode of Voices of Experience featuring  Clifford Selbert and Robin Perkins, FSEGD.

Join us every two weeks as we continue honoring SEGD Fellows whose work has shaped the environments—and experiences—that define our world.

Because design isn’t just about signs—it’s about creating the landmarks that define who we are, and where we belong.