Paula Scher: Great Design is Serious, Not Solemn
Last year, I came across Paula Scher's work when researching for my editorial and typographic module. I found her maps, created using layers of text, visually stunning and really caught my eye. She has quite rapidly become one of my favourite designers, so when I found this talk, I couldn't help but listen in. The talk focuses on her career and her idea of "serious play," which she describes her work to be.
Paul Bennett: Design is in the Details
In a world where we are always looking for the next big thing: the next design or advertisement that will shake the world, Paul Bennett takes us back to basics and talks about how design doesn't need to be about grand gestures to be successful, but can instead focus on the little things in life. We often overlook the obvious, and as a design student, this is something that really resonates with me.
David Carson: Design and Discovery
Similar to Paula Scher, I looked at Carson's work when researching for my editorial and typographic module. His work has often been called "revolutionary," and it is his use of negative leading, slanting, layering and overlapping letters which set him above and beyond other designers of his time. He created a signature style, and his text was often illegible, but he stated, "design helps you define the language of the page," which allowed him to get away with breaking the rules of layouts. His work was often chaotic, but in an organised manner. Carson's Ted talk is entertaining due to him sharing his life stories and discoveries which ultimately lead to his design. "Great design is a never ending journey of discovery." And his encouragement towards the end always makes me want to create.
Don Norman: 3 Ways Good Design Makes You Happy
In the industry, your main priority is not just creating something visually stunning, but also meeting the client's requirements. I watched this whilst I was struggling to feel inspired for the D&AD John Lewis brief, and it was extremely relevant for the brand, who aim to create an emotional connection with the customer. I felt I had a better understanding of how to accomplish that and what to focus on: and also feel I've learnt a lot of things that will help me in future briefs.
Stefan Sagmeister: Happiness by Design
Another of the designers I looked at in my Editorial module, can you see a pattern here?! Stefan Sagmeister focuses on the concept of his designs, rather than the style: though it's his use of different mediums and extremes that has made him so famously known. He creates art that we can imitate, become attached to, and are raw and intimate rather than disconnected, which is mainly what graphic design has become in this day and age. In this talk, he takes the audience on a journey through the moments of his life that have made him happy, and relates these incidents to his relationship with his career.
