Film Response: Milton Glaser

The film about designer Milton Glaser illustrates him not only as a designer, but a person, as well. In addition to discussing his design ideas and preferences, he discusses his likes and dislikes in terms of hobbies and food, for example. Because of how articulate he is, Glaser's voice is requested in many places. However, it is unusual that a designer is heard--usually they are only seen.

Glaser, who believes art to be an instrument of social enhancement, tells viewers that he enjoys doing work that is public--work that people see. He likes when people have to work to understand what he is showing them. Glaser enjoys when things look as though they just simply happened. He states that one secret of design is to withhold certain things--not to give viewers every piece of information.

Whenever Glaser has the time to draw, he does. He believes drawing is a way of understanding the world. According to Glaser, the movement and rhythmic response to music even has an effect on the way one draws.  Glaser enjoys teaching others his way of perceiving the world.

Among many other things, Glaser is known for the I 'Heart' NY symbol. Regarding the success of the symbol, he states, "People saw [it] and they remembered it."

Glaser tells us that he has always been looking for the true definition of art. The following is the definition he found to be the best he's come across, "The purpose of art is to inform and to delight."

Film Response: "Monterey Pop" & "Playtime"

The films Monterey Pop and Playtime are both perfect examples of modernist design. However, they evoke feelings of modernism in completely different ways. On one hand, Monterey Pop shows us a group of people that know no conservative values, and have moved far away from the traditional. On the other hand, Playtime provides viewers with subjects that are modern in appearance rather than attitude.

Modernist design is evident in the film Playtime through the color palette (or lack thereof) used and the structure of the buildings shown. The entire film consists of only the skin tones of the characters and grey tones, with very few exceptions. All of the buildings are of modernist design in that they are geometric in shape and structure. This film exemplifies modernism in a visual way.

Monterey Pop contains evidence of modernism design in terms of the way the people in the film dress and act. The people at the Monterey Pop musical festival are outgoing and carefree. They are comfortable in their own skin, and seem passionate about music. These people illustrate individuality and independence by dressing and acting however they please, unlike the people in Playtime.