Copying is a great way to study what makes an impactful website, poster, or even a social media post, according to Stefan Sagmeister.

Rei welcomes back graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister to explore the importance of beauty in form and design. Reflecting on his career, Stefan shares how his collaboration with Jessica Walsh transformed his perception of design aesthetics, the impact of Apple's design philosophy, and his innovative sabbatical approach and its role in maintaining his creative passion. With insights on embracing change, valuing aesthetics, and intentionally designing one's life, this episode offers profound wisdom for aspiring designers and creative professionals.

Stefan Sagmeister has designed for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, HBO, and the Guggenheim Museum. He’s a two time Grammies winner and also earned practically every important international design award.

Stefan talks about the large subjects of our lives like happiness or beauty, how they connect to design and what that actually means to our everyday lives. He spoke 5 times at the official TED, making him one of the three most frequently invited TED speakers.

His books sell in the hundreds of thousands and his exhibitions have been mounted in museums around the world. His exhibit ’The Happy Show' attracted way over half a million visitors worldwide and became the most visited graphic design show in history.

A native of Austria, he received his MFA from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and, as a Fulbright Scholar, a master’s degree from Pratt Institute in New York.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 The Evolution of Aesthetic Importance in Design
• 4:25 Apple's Unwavering Commitment to Design and Aesthetics
• 9:03 Stefan Sagmeister on Long-Term Projects and Creative Sabbaticals
• 16:54 The Importance of Form and Copying in Design Learning
• 20:20 The Dual Nature of Online Interactions and Empathy
• 22:57 Stefan Sagmeister on Design, Beauty, and Evolving Perspectives
• 25:12 Three Takeaways

Episode References:

• Stefan Sagmeister | Online Portfolio
• Stefan Sagmeister | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does long-term thinking influence creativity?

Rei sits down with renowned designer Stefan Sagmeister to explore how the interpretation of data through art can shift public consciousness towards optimism. The episode places particular emphasis on Stephan’s exhibition “Now is Better,” which centers around the idea of long-term thinking of humanity’s progression. The conversation dives into Stephan’s underlying philosophies throughout his design process, belief in “low-function design”, and thoughts on balancing beauty and functionality.

Stefan Sagmeister has designed for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, HBO, and the Guggenheim Museum. He’s a two time Grammies winner and also earned practically every important international design award.

Stefan talks about the large subjects of our lives like happiness or beauty, how they connect to design and what that actually means to our everyday lives. He spoke 5 times at the official TED, making him one of the three most frequently invited TED speakers.

His books sell in the hundreds of thousands and his exhibitions have been mounted in museums around the world. His exhibit ’The Happy Show' attracted way over half a million visitors worldwide and became the most visited graphic design show in history.

A native of Austria, he received his MFA from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and, as a Fulbright Scholar, a master’s degree from Pratt Institute in New York.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Exploring Long-Term Thinking in Design and Art
• 5:10 The Long-Term Perspective on Global Democracy and Progress
• 8:40 Transforming Antique Art with Modern Data Representations
• 15:56 The Intersection of Art, Design, and Commercial Viability
• 19:43 Exploring Communication Design Beyond Commercial Boundaries
• 20:48 The Intersection of Design and Art in Austrian Culture
• 22:16 Blurring the Lines Between Design and Art
• 26:11 The Allure of Low Functioning Design in Modern Life
• 30:41 The Joy of Low Functionality in Everyday Activities
• 34:43 The Sliding Scale Between Art and Design
• 36:20 The Interplay of Beauty, Function, and Form in Design
• 41:29 The Intersection of Design, Art, and Functionality
• 46:11 Three Takeaways

Episode References:

• Stefan Sagmeister | Online Portfolio
• Stefan Sagmeister | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why a point of view (POV) will be more important than AI. Written and read by Rei Inamoto himself.

The Intersection is Rei’s weekly newsletter, exploring what the future holds at the intersection of creativity and technology. Subscribe to The Intersection to receive his latest editions directly in your inbox.

Episode References:

• POV > AI | Article
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.