Sagmeister on Taking Time Off

Enjoy this video from the last TED conference of Stefan Sagmeister talking about taking extended time off to recharge and develop new ideas. It is something I wish we could all work into our schedules.

Sagmeister on PBS's Roadtrip Nation

Enjoy this video of Sagmeister from the good folks over at Roadtrip Nation, a PBS show. Thanks to Kirstin McLatchie, a past student of mine who is working as an Art Director for Roadtrip Nation.

TED shares the Love and Happiness

On this day where we celebrate love and happiness, enjoy this video of Stefan Sagmeister: Yes, design can make you happy from the TED conference. I had the pleasure of meeting Stefan while taking a course with Milton Glaser in NYC a year and a half ago. I found Stefan to be a incredibly nice person full of energy and passion. I hope you enjoy the video.
Also from the TED conference is this video below from Helen Fisher: Why do we crave love so much, even to the point that we would die for it? Helen took MRIs of people in love -- and people who had just been dumped.

Sagmeister - Urban Play 2008 Project

Stefan created another great piece from his now famous "Things I have learned in my life so far" for an art exhibit in Amsterdam this past week. The work titled "Obsessions make my life worse and my work better" was made out of 250.000 eurocents placed on a plaza in the city. It seems that within 24 hours of it being completed the police where called and they decided to pick up the coins. Talk about Dutch efficiency. To view and read more about the project check out Sagmeister's site and to read about the removal check out Scott Burnham's site.

Sagmeister Designs New David Byrne Album

Stefan Sagmeister has a long history of album cover designs. One artist that he has worked hand in hand with over the years is David Byrne. David is best known for his early works with the "Talking Heads". The early producer for the "Talking Heads" was Brian Eno and now they have worked together to create a new album "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today". (Sounds like a Stefan saying no?) The album is crisp and refreshing. The album art was designed by Sagmeister and there is also a special collectable edition available that comes with bonus songs and a video by Hillman Curtis. To preview the album, buy the album or to get a free download of a song, check out the website at www.everythingthathappens.com.

Stefan Sagmeister Video

The film crew at Hillman Curtis have released a video about Stefan's gallery show last month in SOHO based on "Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far." You can see several of the works that are included in his book. The video also included brief words by other great designer that where at the opening for the show including Milton Glaser, Debbie Millman, and Massimo Vignelli. The video is well produced as has been done in the past by Hillman Curtis. (be sure to check out their other short videos too) Watch and enjoy the video by clicking this link.

Book of the Week #1 > Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far, Stefan Sagmeister

This latest book by Stefan Sagmeister is wonderful. It is based on thoughts he noted in his diary during a yearlong studio sabbatical in 2000. Some of the thoughts included “Everything I do always comes back to me”, “Trying to look good limits my life”, “Helping other people helps me” and “Everybody always thinks they are right”. When he returned to the studio he had clients ask him to “just design”. He went back to his diary and started to visually show his thoughts. All the designs where commissioned by his clients. The book is a series of these thoughts shown through photos of the final piece and an explanation of the project. The book design is made up of folios that you can read then placed behind the cover to create a new cover. The design of the book is wonderful. It is not a “how to” design book but a book that lets you understand one of our great designers working today. I had the chance to meet Stefan last August while taking a class from Milton Glaser. He presented this series. Stefan is a wonderful person, full of passion, and I hope he continues to push the boundaries between art and design.