This is my first blog-post; a journey of research and development that will accompany my MA. I decided to focus this post on a graphic designer whose work has always been of interest to me: Stefan Sagmeister.

Austrian born, Stefan Sagmeister (1962) is a graphic designer and typographer currently based in New York. His work is fresh, innovative and often undertaken away from the computer with interesting and dynamic results. He is known for his unconventional approaches to graphic design.

His book Things I have Learned in my Life so Far was published in 2006. The book originated from observations recorded by Sagmeister in his diaries. These resulted in a series of life lessons, which he conveys in a creative typographic manner. He created the lettering from natural and man-made materials and placed them in various novel environments. This approach to lettering is described as ‘metaphoric lettering’; letters that are “imbued with symbolism and serve as a vessel and as an idea” (Heller, S & Vienne V, 2012, p.38). Besides its visual appeal, the metaphoric lettering adds deeper meaning and a visual dynamic to the page.

Book design is my main area of interest for my MA. I aim to explore the intersection and interaction of type and other visuals, in books or editorial design. In his book, Sagmeister creates unique lettering, and displays it interactively in a natural or related environment.

In this technological age, Sagmeister’s approach to this project is fresh, fun and visually appealing. I hope through the course of this MA, I can bring some of Sagmeister’s blended approach to my own work; where fine art and design take a significant role alongside more technological methods.

Resources:
Heller, Steven & Vienne Véronique, (2012) 100 Ideas that Changed Graphic Design. London: Laurence King. p.38