A pioneer in computer animation and graphics, Abel used his talents to produce short animations. Very short — commercials. Some of his memorable work includes a man taking the Levi jeans logo for a walk on a leash, a sheet of paper that folded itself into an airplane and sailed out a window, and a famous M.C. Escher print of interlocking birds that was brought to life.
His vision brought him 33 Clio awards, the ad world’s equivalent of the Emmy. He died September 23 in Los Angeles from heart problems. He was 64.