1) Sum up what Stefan stands for as a designer.
Stefan Sagmeister represents a design lifestyle that allows a flexible work setting self-motivation within a flexible work setting. He notes the importance of taking sabbatical in order to discover new ways of thinking and uncover new solutions to projects. He emphasizes the successful outcomes when employees step back from the work setting and pursue their own goals. Stefan stands for an alternative lifestyle. This lifestyle allowed him to pursue interesting projects with a different and more open mindset, which ended up leading to some of the most acclaimed work of his career. The lifestyle he proposes requires planning, self-motivation, prioritizing, and focus in order to produce these outcomes.
2) What is this book about?
This book is an experienced designers outlook on the profession of graphic design in modern society. Shaughnessy focuses on aspects that are rarely discussed and often overlooked or misconceived. He lists many tips and other useful information that he has learned from mistakes and successes during his career. He gears this book at the young designers and students that have not been exposed to all aspects of the design world yet, hoping to give some preparation and insight into the profession.
3) List 3 points you found most interesting from the two Introductions.
-I found it interesting how Shaughnessy notes how graphic design now has a major social role, making the world a better place. The evolution of the graphic design has created some negative effects, however it has become so much more recognized by the world.
-He argues that the message designed for a client is best communicated when the designer takes a “different” approach. I found this interesting, especially in the world where there is a lot of uniformity due to client’s needs, etc.
-I found it interesting how Shaughnessy refers to all “glossy design press” avoiding any problems faced by the modern designer. There is no job that is perfect so this book aids to provide a practical approach to the issues one may face when becoming a graphic designer.
4) What are the attributes needed by the modern designer?
In order to grow, a modern designer needs
-Cultural awareness: Learning and experiencing the world will allow designers to be more in-tune with their peers and audiences. Without watching the news and keeping up to date with world news, a designer will be much more successful.
-Communication skills: A designer needs to successfully speak about their work and fully listen to clients. It is important to have the sources to back up and defend designs and thoughts. Developing professional speaking skills and the ability to elaborate is essential for a designer.
-Professional and personal integrity: Modern designers need confidence in their beliefs so they can back themselves up.
5) List 3 points you found most interesting from Chapter 1.
-“Designers sometimes imagine that the world revolves around graphic design… But the best designers are always characterized by an interest in life beyond their subject” - I found this interesting because it relates a lot to how I am currently struggling to combine design and biology. Every designer needs a combination of design and other interests in order to be culturally aware.
-“We have to learn to present these ‘inner convictions,’ these ‘intuitions’ as rational and objective”. I found this section on communication because it goes beyond the simple speaking and listening, but gives advice on the best strategies to communicate with clients. As a modern designer, one must listen and communicate carefully with the client in order to create the most satisfying design, not simply a job the designer believes is fitting.
-The section on integrity was interesting to me. I have always struggled finding the balance between my own personal stance and client’s needs. He states that by ” having beliefs (creative and ethical), and by questioning what we are asked to do as designer, we can acquire self-respect, and self-respect is the first step on the path to earning the respect of clients and other designers.” No one’s voice should go unheard, however a designer needs to be professional when standing up for their beliefs in order to gain the self-respect.
6) Who is your favorite designer mentioned in this reading & why are they your favorite.
Paul Rand- I think he is a good example of how graphic design has changed over the years. His logos and work represent the freedom to effectively create a design without the strict limitations that exist . In a world of uniformity, we have lost a lot of the personality in logotypes and other designs. His logos were capable of the balance between the client’s needs and personal style.
Stefan Sagmeister represents a design lifestyle that allows a flexible work setting self-motivation within a flexible work setting. He notes the importance of taking sabbatical in order to discover new ways of thinking and uncover new solutions to projects. He emphasizes the successful outcomes when employees step back from the work setting and pursue their own goals. Stefan stands for an alternative lifestyle. This lifestyle allowed him to pursue interesting projects with a different and more open mindset, which ended up leading to some of the most acclaimed work of his career. The lifestyle he proposes requires planning, self-motivation, prioritizing, and focus in order to produce these outcomes.
2) What is this book about?
This book is an experienced designers outlook on the profession of graphic design in modern society. Shaughnessy focuses on aspects that are rarely discussed and often overlooked or misconceived. He lists many tips and other useful information that he has learned from mistakes and successes during his career. He gears this book at the young designers and students that have not been exposed to all aspects of the design world yet, hoping to give some preparation and insight into the profession.
3) List 3 points you found most interesting from the two Introductions.
-I found it interesting how Shaughnessy notes how graphic design now has a major social role, making the world a better place. The evolution of the graphic design has created some negative effects, however it has become so much more recognized by the world.
-He argues that the message designed for a client is best communicated when the designer takes a “different” approach. I found this interesting, especially in the world where there is a lot of uniformity due to client’s needs, etc.
-I found it interesting how Shaughnessy refers to all “glossy design press” avoiding any problems faced by the modern designer. There is no job that is perfect so this book aids to provide a practical approach to the issues one may face when becoming a graphic designer.
4) What are the attributes needed by the modern designer?
In order to grow, a modern designer needs
-Cultural awareness: Learning and experiencing the world will allow designers to be more in-tune with their peers and audiences. Without watching the news and keeping up to date with world news, a designer will be much more successful.
-Communication skills: A designer needs to successfully speak about their work and fully listen to clients. It is important to have the sources to back up and defend designs and thoughts. Developing professional speaking skills and the ability to elaborate is essential for a designer.
-Professional and personal integrity: Modern designers need confidence in their beliefs so they can back themselves up.
5) List 3 points you found most interesting from Chapter 1.
-“Designers sometimes imagine that the world revolves around graphic design… But the best designers are always characterized by an interest in life beyond their subject” - I found this interesting because it relates a lot to how I am currently struggling to combine design and biology. Every designer needs a combination of design and other interests in order to be culturally aware.
-“We have to learn to present these ‘inner convictions,’ these ‘intuitions’ as rational and objective”. I found this section on communication because it goes beyond the simple speaking and listening, but gives advice on the best strategies to communicate with clients. As a modern designer, one must listen and communicate carefully with the client in order to create the most satisfying design, not simply a job the designer believes is fitting.
-The section on integrity was interesting to me. I have always struggled finding the balance between my own personal stance and client’s needs. He states that by ” having beliefs (creative and ethical), and by questioning what we are asked to do as designer, we can acquire self-respect, and self-respect is the first step on the path to earning the respect of clients and other designers.” No one’s voice should go unheard, however a designer needs to be professional when standing up for their beliefs in order to gain the self-respect.
6) Who is your favorite designer mentioned in this reading & why are they your favorite.
Paul Rand- I think he is a good example of how graphic design has changed over the years. His logos and work represent the freedom to effectively create a design without the strict limitations that exist . In a world of uniformity, we have lost a lot of the personality in logotypes and other designs. His logos were capable of the balance between the client’s needs and personal style.