Marian Sampler received his BFA degree from the University of Southern California in 1955. He taught art at Fremont High School and freelanced as a production artist in the summer. In 1956, Saul Bass, Norm Gollin, Louis Danziger, and Milton Zolotow formed a group to help get blacks and chicanos into graphic design. Marian was the first African American hired as a result of that effort.

Gruen and Associates, an architectural firm with a graphic design division, hired Marian in 1957. He worked there his entire career. He earned the admiration and respect of graphic designers in architectural signage and graphics over the years.

John Follis featured Marian's work in his book, Architectural Signing and Graphics. Marian also had a partnership on the side with Anita Berry. Anita Berry and Marian Sampler Design's major client was the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.