Louis Raynaud
Louis Raynaud was a French-born illustrator active in Chicago's pinball industry from approximately 1966 to 1971. Working primarily through Advertising Posters Inc., Raynaud contributed distinctive artwork for notable electromechanical pinball machines produced by Williams Electronics and Chicago Coin. Among his most recognized projects were Lady Luck (Williams, 1968), a successful gambling-themed machine, and Zodiac (Williams, 1971), an astrology-themed widebody pinball incorporating innovative features such as electromagnets and multiple flippers. He also provided art for Chicago Coin’s Cowboy and Big Flipper (1970), notable for their oversized flippers designed to enhance gameplay.
Raynaud’s illustrations were characterized by strong thematic integration and clarity, helping players quickly understand game mechanics and enhancing player engagement. His collaboration with influential designers like Steve Kordek and Norm Clark facilitated the visual representation of novel game technologies. Raynaud exited the pinball scene in the early 1970s as the industry transitioned toward solid-state electronics. Today, his contributions are recognized by pinball historians and enthusiasts as representative of the vibrant artistic period that defined electromechanical pinball's peak era.
