Rob Grom’s artistic gifts flourished in his senior year of high school, in Advanced Studio Art. He refined and developed his talents, earning a prestigious art scholarship to attend the College of Saint Rose.

Today Rob is the Senior Art Director at St. Martin's Press, which is one of the seven largest publishers in America.  Rob’s office at St. Martin’s is located in the Flatiron Building on 5^th Avenue and is one of New York City’s architectural landmarks.  Rob describes his work as: “…graphic design and art direction- more specifically I'm a visual problem solver. I'm constantly invigorated by the heights and depths of the imagination through many different mediums as well as people. The world of art and free expression is the only voice I choose to listen to, and it's the one I use the most. All my work has been an excise to bring order out of chaos, to take fragments and pieces and make a complete picture out of them. It's kind of like being a detective.  I currently art direct and design book covers at St. Martin's Press, but I also create my own work, which includes visual art and music.”

Rob Grom- 2000 Yearbook Photo

Rob has designed hundreds of book jackets, including work for bestselling authors William Shatner, Hulk Hogan, Iris Johansen, Tom Perrotta and Albert Brooks. Over the course of his career, Rob’s covers have been routinely recognized by reviewers as among the best of the year.

Since graduation from the College of Saint Rose, Rob has traveled to Germany three times.
“I have been inspired every time, but I will say that everywhere I go is inspiring…especially Greenwich. I feel that my upbringing in Greenwich will forever be in my heart. There is no judgment there and my sense of home will never fade from there.”

Remembering his high school days, Rob is reflective. “I formed many bonds with my friends in high school, but it was skateboarding that really prepared me for my future. It allowed me to look at the world around me and not take anything for granted. Everything I saw became an obstacle to overcome, the sidewalk became my stage for expression and a laboratory for problem solving. I discovered the necessary balance between concept and execution and when I failed, I would work until I got it right. Skateboarding is reason I create, it's the instrument that represents my soul.”

The Flatiron Building

GCS art teacher Naomi Meyer made a “huge” difference for Rob. “She encouraged my awareness in the art world, helped me complete my portfolio for college and allowed me to follow my imagination, no matter where it went.”  Indeed, Ms. Meyer remembers Rob and holds him in equally high regard. “The best artists are brilliant and Rob was certainly that. He is one of those memorable students. Creativity defines him. His success as a designer is well-deserved and is a tribute to his hard work. In his college recommendation, I wrote: ‘Rob has a unique, creative, and refreshing approach in his art, as well as in his written and verbal expression’. He has more than lived up to those words.”

Rob also credits the late Jim Ramsey, business teacher “…was a great friend. He always listened to me and encouraged me to bring out my personality. I could talk about anything with him and we'd always have something to laugh about. I really miss him.”

Aside from skateboarding and visual art, playing guitar and writing songs have become “…necessary outlets in my life. It's like sculpting with sound. It comes out of thin air and it's in the palm of your hands, but impossible to grasp. Music is a great release, whatever I can't express visually or verbally, I can express with my guitar.”

Rob's book jacket design of Hulk Hogan's "My Life Outside The Ring"

When asked what qualities are important for an art director for a book publisher, Rob cites “…awareness; mystery; persistence; curiosity; maintaining composure; putting your ego aside; helping others and allowing other people to help you; listening, love of what you do; and never feeling satisfied with what you've accomplished. My mantra is: "I'm only as good as my next song." In Rob’s life, “…imagination is the best drug on the planet.”

Rob lives in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY. He is the son of Walter and Anna Maria Grom, of Greenwich. His sister, Andrea Grom (GCS ’96) is an organic farmer.

More of Rob's book jacket designs...

"When We Get To Surf City" by Bob Greene