This article, written by Michael Bierut, describes how there are two kinds of graphic designers in the world. One creates each project for an opportunity for self expression, producing work that has an unmistakeable mark and is more about the maker than the message. This graphic designer's output, at its best, is personal and passionate; at its worst, it's repetitive and self indulgent and the mark of an attention seeking person. The second kind of designer attends first to the client; to the message; and to the audience. The second designers goal is to be neutral and invisible. The best of the second designer's work is extremely effective; the worst is anonymous and unforgivable, giving design a bad name. Designer James Victore is great because he amazingly combines the best of both ways. Everyone of his pieces bears his signature in his unmistakeable work. He has a way of conveying the sense that "The words don't want to wait around to be put into type, justified, and kerned. Instead, the ideas are rushing to get out."
If I was a professional graphic designer, I would want to be like James Victore and want to show self-expression as well as being extremely effective through my designs. I hope my designs would be as shockingly good as we should all aim for. I am definitively going to look up some of James Victore's work.
Michael Bierut, the author of this article, tells a story about when he first started out as designer at Vignelli's. He was designing a brochure with his boss and taking notes on what was going to be in the brochure. His boss told him they needed a great photographer like Arnold Newman, so he got out the phone book and called Arnold Newman on the phone. Michael did not realize that Arnold Newman was a famous photographer and treated him briskly and unprofessional. Michael even ask Mr. Newman to send his portfolio to them because they might be interested in hiring him. When his portfolio arrived, Michael realized Arnold Newman was famous for his work, especially his photo of John F. Kennedy in front of the White House. From that day forward Michael Bierut learned the lesson that he should treat everyone with respect and professionalism and to do more research before he talks to someone on the phone.
This was a great article, but I feel that I usually treat others with respect. I can learn from doing more research before contacting someone though, because it is important to know who you are talking to and not to sound dumb on the phone. No one should be thought of, or treated as below you or above you because everyone is equal. Humility is a trait that everyone should try to have and I will try to have more. I am probably one of those people that worries too much about people in authority, and I have to realize that they are just people like me.
Michael Bierut, an author for Design Observer, recently read an article in The Architect's Newspaper by Michael McDonough, an accomplished New York based architect, called "The Top 10 Things They Never Taught Me in Design School" and asked permission to reprint it in the Design Observer. The article is ten common sense things to help a person be successful in design and some of the things could help anyone be successful in any job in life.
The first rule listed by Michael McDonough is basically stating that talent is important, but so is hard work, luck, who you know, money or timing. The second rule is stating that it is not all fun, learn to love the boring parts, and perform them with diligence and care. The third rule is to decide what is important and set your priorities. The fourth rule is to not over think a problem. The fifth rule is to start with what you know and then figure out what you don't know. The sixth rule states not to become frantic. Write your ideal on a piece of paper and keep it in front of you at all times. The seventh rule is not to be over confident. Be humble, it is the great karma rule, the wheel turns slowly, but always comes back around. The eighth rule is basically to expect to work hard, expect to fail a few times, and expect to be rejected. The ninth rule is, "Show me the output!" The tenth rule is to respect all the people that have to be there to help you be successful, the constructor, the manufacturer, the insurer, the buyer, you need them all.
These rules are good rules for design as well as for life. I felt it was a great article to read. Thank you Michael McDonough and Michael Bierut.
Michael Bierut is the author of a humorous, but informative article titled Warning May Contain Non-Design Content. He tells us about his "starved for design days" in the 1970s when he was in design school in Cincinnati. In his senior year, he was offered a job to design a catalog for the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center on the work of theater designer Robert Wilson. CAC did not hire him because he knew anything about Robert Wilson, they hired him because he was cheap. Bierut thought he was a pretty good designer, and he did not feel it was important to know anything about Robert Wilson. A year later he saw his first Robert Wilson production of Einstein on the Beach and thought it was epic, miraculous, hypnotic, and transcendent. He realized he had messed up the catalog and that his design relayed none of those things.
Bierut states in his article to other designers that they should be passionate about the subject of their design and that more things you are interested in, the better your work will be. He also says "Not everything is design. But design is about everything. So do yourself a favor; be ready for everything."
I thought this article was very informative and helpful if you are looking to be hired for a job in design. It is important to be passionate and informed about your subject on a lot of different subjects not only helps you in your job, but also makes you a more interesting person.
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