Which American artist designed the original “Obey Giant” sticker campaign in 1989?

Shepard Fairey designed the original “Obey Giant” sticker campaign in 1989.

Fairey began the project while studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. The first stickers featured an image of wrestler André the Giant and were placed in public spaces, where the unexpected graphic became part of skateboarding, punk, and street-art culture. The campaign’s message was intentionally ambiguous and encouraged viewers to question advertising and authority.

The project eventually developed into the OBEY clothing and design brand. Its bold red, black, and white graphics became common in posters, stickers, apparel, and streetwear. Fairey’s later work included the “Hope” poster for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Obey Giant is sometimes confused with the work of Banksy or KAWS, but those artists have separate practices and brands. Fairey’s 1989 sticker campaign is the direct origin of the OBEY identity.