Stefan Sagmeister, who was born in Austria, is one of the most well-known graphic designers today. He studied graphic design in Vienna at the University of Applied Arts. In 1987, he moved to New York. There, he attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn on a Fulbright scholarship, and earned a master's degree. While studying at Pratt, humor became a prominent theme in his designs.
He pays great attention to even the smallest details in his works. Sagmeister treats every aspect of his designs as the most important one to the piece. The AIGA, among others, is a longtime collaborator of his. He has also designed for clients such as the Rolling Stones, HBO, the Guggenheim Museum and Time Warner.
Stefan Sagmeister's designs relate to many of the design-related topics and terms we have discussed in class. Some of these include vernacular design and design and ethics/communication.
Regarding vernacular design, particularly the article "We're Here to be Bad," Sagmeister definitely allows himself to step outside the box. This is evident in works like one he did for an issue of Paper Magazine, where he shredded up a pair of Levi's jeans and reassembled the threads into a poster. Another work that illustrates Sagmeister's amazing creativity is the one that consists of a wall made of thousands of bananas stacked on top of one another. In the center of this wall, the phrase "self-confidence produces fine results" is 'written out' using not-yet-ripe, green bananas.
Also regarding vernacular design in terms of the article "We're Here to be Bad," Sagmeister's works embody the idea of bigger being better. These include countless works that consist of very large words/phrases (made purposely for public viewing) that have been created from objects such as tree branches. His piece using bananas also falls under this idea.
In terms of design and ethics/communication, the "First Things First" manifestos in particular, Sagmeister's work evokes the idea of a sole image seducing viewers. In these manifestos, it is stated that "it is design that helps direct how we perceive it and how it makes us feel... what seduces us is its 'image.'" Before we dive into the content of a design, we notice the visual aspects; its outward appearance.
"I always kept my studio very small because in the design world the only thing more difficult than design is to figure out how not to grow." - Stefan Sagmeister
Sources not mentioned:
designmuseum.org/design/stefan-sagmeister
www.ted.com/speakers/stefan_sagmeister.html
www.brightsightgroup.com
www.kenyaferrand.com/pics/web/css_layout/stefan1.html
www.soundauthors.com/interview-with-stefan-sagmeister-sound-authors-radio.htm
www.designboom.com/eng/interview/sagmeister.html
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