a great read
Have you read How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer, by Debbie Millman? I had the opportunity to read it while I was away last week and I’m so glad I did. It was just fantastic.
There is not one picture. Not one illustration. Not one depiction of a graphic designer’s work. Instead, there are 20 insightful, informative, frank and inspiring interviews with designers such as Massimo Vignelli, Chip Kidd, Neville Brody, Stephen Doyle, Carin Goldberg, Paula Scher, Milton Glaser, Michael Beirut… the list goes on.
Here’s a taste of the words of wisdom contained within:
It doesn’t matter if you didn’t have enough time or if the client was an idiot. The only thing that counts is what you’ve designed, and whether it’s good or bad. ~ Michael Bierut
And:
I still have the feeling that I have enormous opportunities and possibilities. There is always so much more to understand about the nature of communicating and design and color. You reach a point in your life when you realize that you know nothing about color and shape. ~ Milton Glaser
And:
The accoutrements, and the awards, and my picture in a book don’t matter. What matters is the next project. If you’re sitting back and saying, “Gee, that was wonderful,” that is death. You’re killing yourself. You can’t do that. You can’t do that to yourself. ~ Paula Scher
And:
Younger designers and would-be designers must understand that communication design is for others and to others [as opposed to] for yourself, to yourself. There is a great misconception in this era of graphic design that it is a medium of self-expression. ~ Peter Saville
And:
I wouldn’t be able to do it on my own. Design is really hard to do alone. ~ Emily Oberman
And:
Kids, get your name on what you do. Peace out. ~ Chip Kidd
And finally:
[I generally start a project] by listening as much as I can. I am convinced the solution is always in the problem. You could do a design that you like, but it doesn’t solve the problem. Design must solve a problem. Then, the design is exciting. But I find it extremely difficult. This is why I respect artists. Without a problem, I don’t exist. Artists are lucky; they can work by themselves. They don’t need a problem. ~ Massimo Vignelli
