Last week I had the great pleasure of attending a lecture by famed graphic designer, Milton Glaser.
Even if you're not familiar with his name, I think you'll recognize his work:
This is his logo work, but be sure to check out his posters and dimensional work. So interesting!
The lecture was wonderful! Milton was funny and self-deprecating. He shared some wonderful stories and bits and pieces of advice. Here are just a few of the things that I found particularly interesting:
- He was asked about the difference between art and design. He said that sometimes there is design that is art, but for the most part design is functional. He said that not everything hanging in a museum is art, because art is something that changes you after you've looked at.
- He was asked how he felt about art and design students who spend all their time on the computer and don't draw. He clearly felt very strongly on the topic, saying that it's impossible to understand things visually unless you draw them. I'm paraphrasing, but he said something along the lines of, "You never really see something until you draw it."
- He talked a bit about how Picasso's career influenced him. (This is something I've been saying about myself for years, so definitely a point of commonality.) Essentially, Picasso loved to master a skill or technique (cubism, monumentalism, his blue period, sculpture, etc.) and then as soon as he mastered it, he would move on. Milton said that he is always trying to do things that he doesn't know how to do. (Me too!)
- My favorite part of the lecture was brief slide show where he took us through his design process. He said that people always think of the design process as a straight line. You have an idea and you just keep refining it and refining it and refining it. Milton said, that's just not true. It's a process of abandoning ideas and randomness. He took us through the process of designing a poster and showed how he just stumbled through ideas until he finally found what felt right for him. (This is definitely how my process works too!)
- He recently designed three clocks and the moderator asked him how he approached that task. Milton said that he thought about why someone would want a clock these days. It's not for telling time. Everyone has cell phones and wristwatches and so why a wall clock? He said that he decided it was for atmosphere — something whimsical. And so he created clocks with that in mind.
All in all, it was a very inspiring evening. I walked away agreeing with a lot of what he said, disagreeing with some of it. But mostly feeling excited about the possibilities. And isn't that the best feeling in the whole world?!
Thanks for stopping by!
*That* is certainly the best feeling in the world — the anticipation of hitherto undiscovered possibilities! Also the reason I enjoy your blog and classes. Great post.
*That* is certainly the best feeling in the world — the anticipation of hitherto undiscovered possibilities! Also the reason I enjoy your blog and classes. Great post.
*That* is certainly the best feeling in the world — the anticipation of hitherto undiscovered possibilities! Also the reason I enjoy your blog and classes. Great post.
*That* is certainly the best feeling in the world — the anticipation of hitherto undiscovered possibilities! Also the reason I enjoy your blog and classes. Great post.
*That* is certainly the best feeling in the world — the anticipation of hitherto undiscovered possibilities! Also the reason I enjoy your blog and classes. Great post.
What a fantastic evening! I enjoyed following your links to Milton’s (Mr. Glaser?) posters and dimensional works. He has quite a range and I’d like to spend more time exploring his work. Thank you for another great post!
What a fantastic evening! I enjoyed following your links to Milton’s (Mr. Glaser?) posters and dimensional works. He has quite a range and I’d like to spend more time exploring his work. Thank you for another great post!
What a fantastic evening! I enjoyed following your links to Milton’s (Mr. Glaser?) posters and dimensional works. He has quite a range and I’d like to spend more time exploring his work. Thank you for another great post!
What a fantastic evening! I enjoyed following your links to Milton’s (Mr. Glaser?) posters and dimensional works. He has quite a range and I’d like to spend more time exploring his work. Thank you for another great post!
What a fantastic evening! I enjoyed following your links to Milton’s (Mr. Glaser?) posters and dimensional works. He has quite a range and I’d like to spend more time exploring his work. Thank you for another great post!
How interesting to identify who created those logs…bet it was a fabulous night!
How interesting to identify who created those logs…bet it was a fabulous night!
How interesting to identify who created those logs…bet it was a fabulous night!
How interesting to identify who created those logs…bet it was a fabulous night!
How interesting to identify who created those logs…bet it was a fabulous night!
Julie thank you for sharing this valuable information, art plays a large part in making our lives infinitely rich , I love Art because it brings me to a constant state of change and learning. This is also why I find your blog amazing!
Julie thank you for sharing this valuable information, art plays a large part in making our lives infinitely rich , I love Art because it brings me to a constant state of change and learning. This is also why I find your blog amazing!
Julie thank you for sharing this valuable information, art plays a large part in making our lives infinitely rich , I love Art because it brings me to a constant state of change and learning. This is also why I find your blog amazing!
Julie thank you for sharing this valuable information, art plays a large part in making our lives infinitely rich , I love Art because it brings me to a constant state of change and learning. This is also why I find your blog amazing!
Julie thank you for sharing this valuable information, art plays a large part in making our lives infinitely rich , I love Art because it brings me to a constant state of change and learning. This is also why I find your blog amazing!
Living in the city you have access to so many wonderful events like this. It’s not enough to make me give up small town living and backyards, but I do envy New Yorkers for the varied activities they can be part of.
Living in the city you have access to so many wonderful events like this. It’s not enough to make me give up small town living and backyards, but I do envy New Yorkers for the varied activities they can be part of.
Living in the city you have access to so many wonderful events like this. It’s not enough to make me give up small town living and backyards, but I do envy New Yorkers for the varied activities they can be part of.
Living in the city you have access to so many wonderful events like this. It’s not enough to make me give up small town living and backyards, but I do envy New Yorkers for the varied activities they can be part of.
Living in the city you have access to so many wonderful events like this. It’s not enough to make me give up small town living and backyards, but I do envy New Yorkers for the varied activities they can be part of.
Thanks for summarising it for us, so very interesting! I especially liked the part about how the process is not a straight line. I find thought processes and random changes very hard to explain to others 🙂 Also liked the part about having to draw things out. Reminded me of this, by Lynda Barry, about having to write things out, which really resonates with me: http://thenearsightedmonkey.tumblr.com/post/35779413064/writing-by-hand-does-it-ring-a-bell-does-it-ring
Thanks for summarising it for us, so very interesting! I especially liked the part about how the process is not a straight line. I find thought processes and random changes very hard to explain to others 🙂 Also liked the part about having to draw things out. Reminded me of this, by Lynda Barry, about having to write things out, which really resonates with me: http://thenearsightedmonkey.tumblr.com/post/35779413064/writing-by-hand-does-it-ring-a-bell-does-it-ring
Thanks for summarising it for us, so very interesting! I especially liked the part about how the process is not a straight line. I find thought processes and random changes very hard to explain to others 🙂 Also liked the part about having to draw things out. Reminded me of this, by Lynda Barry, about having to write things out, which really resonates with me: http://thenearsightedmonkey.tumblr.com/post/35779413064/writing-by-hand-does-it-ring-a-bell-does-it-ring
Thanks for summarising it for us, so very interesting! I especially liked the part about how the process is not a straight line. I find thought processes and random changes very hard to explain to others 🙂 Also liked the part about having to draw things out. Reminded me of this, by Lynda Barry, about having to write things out, which really resonates with me: http://thenearsightedmonkey.tumblr.com/post/35779413064/writing-by-hand-does-it-ring-a-bell-does-it-ring
Thanks for summarising it for us, so very interesting! I especially liked the part about how the process is not a straight line. I find thought processes and random changes very hard to explain to others 🙂 Also liked the part about having to draw things out. Reminded me of this, by Lynda Barry, about having to write things out, which really resonates with me: http://thenearsightedmonkey.tumblr.com/post/35779413064/writing-by-hand-does-it-ring-a-bell-does-it-ring
You are so lucky to have such opportunities and so SMART to take advantage of them. Thanks for telling us.
You are so lucky to have such opportunities and so SMART to take advantage of them. Thanks for telling us.
You are so lucky to have such opportunities and so SMART to take advantage of them. Thanks for telling us.
You are so lucky to have such opportunities and so SMART to take advantage of them. Thanks for telling us.
You are so lucky to have such opportunities and so SMART to take advantage of them. Thanks for telling us.
what an interesting evening you must have had, and thank you for para phrasing it for us. I wish I could have been there.
what an interesting evening you must have had, and thank you for para phrasing it for us. I wish I could have been there.
what an interesting evening you must have had, and thank you for para phrasing it for us. I wish I could have been there.
what an interesting evening you must have had, and thank you for para phrasing it for us. I wish I could have been there.
what an interesting evening you must have had, and thank you for para phrasing it for us. I wish I could have been there.
I love Milton Glaser!
I agree that the process is not (always) a straight line, but I will reserve that sometimes it can be. Sometimes, taking one idea and stretching it to the limit is the process one takes with a piece of art, and that is valid also. However, it is not the only way, and processes other than linear are also valid, such as the process to achieve random occurrences.
He’s 100% correct about drawing. And every great artist and designer has said the same thing: You haven’t seen until you’ve drawn, and your drawing is always (ALWAYS) a reflection of how well you see! It has very little, if anything, to do with motor skills. It is the EYE!
Bravo to you Julie for posting Milton!
I love Milton Glaser!
I agree that the process is not (always) a straight line, but I will reserve that sometimes it can be. Sometimes, taking one idea and stretching it to the limit is the process one takes with a piece of art, and that is valid also. However, it is not the only way, and processes other than linear are also valid, such as the process to achieve random occurrences.
He’s 100% correct about drawing. And every great artist and designer has said the same thing: You haven’t seen until you’ve drawn, and your drawing is always (ALWAYS) a reflection of how well you see! It has very little, if anything, to do with motor skills. It is the EYE!
Bravo to you Julie for posting Milton!
I love Milton Glaser!
I agree that the process is not (always) a straight line, but I will reserve that sometimes it can be. Sometimes, taking one idea and stretching it to the limit is the process one takes with a piece of art, and that is valid also. However, it is not the only way, and processes other than linear are also valid, such as the process to achieve random occurrences.
He’s 100% correct about drawing. And every great artist and designer has said the same thing: You haven’t seen until you’ve drawn, and your drawing is always (ALWAYS) a reflection of how well you see! It has very little, if anything, to do with motor skills. It is the EYE!
Bravo to you Julie for posting Milton!
I love Milton Glaser!
I agree that the process is not (always) a straight line, but I will reserve that sometimes it can be. Sometimes, taking one idea and stretching it to the limit is the process one takes with a piece of art, and that is valid also. However, it is not the only way, and processes other than linear are also valid, such as the process to achieve random occurrences.
He’s 100% correct about drawing. And every great artist and designer has said the same thing: You haven’t seen until you’ve drawn, and your drawing is always (ALWAYS) a reflection of how well you see! It has very little, if anything, to do with motor skills. It is the EYE!
Bravo to you Julie for posting Milton!
I love Milton Glaser!
I agree that the process is not (always) a straight line, but I will reserve that sometimes it can be. Sometimes, taking one idea and stretching it to the limit is the process one takes with a piece of art, and that is valid also. However, it is not the only way, and processes other than linear are also valid, such as the process to achieve random occurrences.
He’s 100% correct about drawing. And every great artist and designer has said the same thing: You haven’t seen until you’ve drawn, and your drawing is always (ALWAYS) a reflection of how well you see! It has very little, if anything, to do with motor skills. It is the EYE!
Bravo to you Julie for posting Milton!
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an evening Julie! Wow! Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an evening Julie! Wow! Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an evening Julie! Wow! Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an evening Julie! Wow! Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an evening Julie! Wow! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing what you learn at your fabulous classes and lectures there in NYC. As someone else said, your are so smart to be taking advantage of them. I love what he said about his process, the randomness of it, and about drawing. It gives me inspiration to keep practicing sketching. Definitely see what he is saying about “seeing”.
Thank you for sharing what you learn at your fabulous classes and lectures there in NYC. As someone else said, your are so smart to be taking advantage of them. I love what he said about his process, the randomness of it, and about drawing. It gives me inspiration to keep practicing sketching. Definitely see what he is saying about “seeing”.
Thank you for sharing what you learn at your fabulous classes and lectures there in NYC. As someone else said, your are so smart to be taking advantage of them. I love what he said about his process, the randomness of it, and about drawing. It gives me inspiration to keep practicing sketching. Definitely see what he is saying about “seeing”.
Thank you for sharing what you learn at your fabulous classes and lectures there in NYC. As someone else said, your are so smart to be taking advantage of them. I love what he said about his process, the randomness of it, and about drawing. It gives me inspiration to keep practicing sketching. Definitely see what he is saying about “seeing”.
Thank you for sharing what you learn at your fabulous classes and lectures there in NYC. As someone else said, your are so smart to be taking advantage of them. I love what he said about his process, the randomness of it, and about drawing. It gives me inspiration to keep practicing sketching. Definitely see what he is saying about “seeing”.
Wow…through your eyes I not only get to experience interesting events that you attend,but how to live in a city like NY and seek and engage in what NY offers. Julie, you are a very special young lady. You continue to inspire my days. Thank you so much for taking the time to share intersting information and the thought process. In a world with so much woundedness, you feed the positives, playfulness, and joy we all need to experience for balance. Thank you so much. Your posts truly make a difference!
Wow…through your eyes I not only get to experience interesting events that you attend,but how to live in a city like NY and seek and engage in what NY offers. Julie, you are a very special young lady. You continue to inspire my days. Thank you so much for taking the time to share intersting information and the thought process. In a world with so much woundedness, you feed the positives, playfulness, and joy we all need to experience for balance. Thank you so much. Your posts truly make a difference!
Wow…through your eyes I not only get to experience interesting events that you attend,but how to live in a city like NY and seek and engage in what NY offers. Julie, you are a very special young lady. You continue to inspire my days. Thank you so much for taking the time to share intersting information and the thought process. In a world with so much woundedness, you feed the positives, playfulness, and joy we all need to experience for balance. Thank you so much. Your posts truly make a difference!
Wow…through your eyes I not only get to experience interesting events that you attend,but how to live in a city like NY and seek and engage in what NY offers. Julie, you are a very special young lady. You continue to inspire my days. Thank you so much for taking the time to share intersting information and the thought process. In a world with so much woundedness, you feed the positives, playfulness, and joy we all need to experience for balance. Thank you so much. Your posts truly make a difference!
Wow…through your eyes I not only get to experience interesting events that you attend,but how to live in a city like NY and seek and engage in what NY offers. Julie, you are a very special young lady. You continue to inspire my days. Thank you so much for taking the time to share intersting information and the thought process. In a world with so much woundedness, you feed the positives, playfulness, and joy we all need to experience for balance. Thank you so much. Your posts truly make a difference!
This posits to thank Barbara H. What an interesting response that further broadens our understanding of exploring and finding our way as artists. I found the statement that “art is something that changes you after you’ve looked at it”, to be profound. It is exactly what happens to me when I view art by Gustavo Klimt and Kandinsky and others.
This posits to thank Barbara H. What an interesting response that further broadens our understanding of exploring and finding our way as artists. I found the statement that “art is something that changes you after you’ve looked at it”, to be profound. It is exactly what happens to me when I view art by Gustavo Klimt and Kandinsky and others.
This posits to thank Barbara H. What an interesting response that further broadens our understanding of exploring and finding our way as artists. I found the statement that “art is something that changes you after you’ve looked at it”, to be profound. It is exactly what happens to me when I view art by Gustavo Klimt and Kandinsky and others.
This posits to thank Barbara H. What an interesting response that further broadens our understanding of exploring and finding our way as artists. I found the statement that “art is something that changes you after you’ve looked at it”, to be profound. It is exactly what happens to me when I view art by Gustavo Klimt and Kandinsky and others.
This posits to thank Barbara H. What an interesting response that further broadens our understanding of exploring and finding our way as artists. I found the statement that “art is something that changes you after you’ve looked at it”, to be profound. It is exactly what happens to me when I view art by Gustavo Klimt and Kandinsky and others.
What a awesome experience,thank you for sharing it..would have loved to have been there with you.
hugs
susan s
What a awesome experience,thank you for sharing it..would have loved to have been there with you.
hugs
susan s
What a awesome experience,thank you for sharing it..would have loved to have been there with you.
hugs
susan s
What a awesome experience,thank you for sharing it..would have loved to have been there with you.
hugs
susan s
What a awesome experience,thank you for sharing it..would have loved to have been there with you.
hugs
susan s
Thanks so much for sharing this Julie. A lecture like this is something that I most likely would not be able to attend, but by your sharing here on your blog, I am able to glean a little bit of this, and continue to expand my horizons as well!
Thanks so much for sharing this Julie. A lecture like this is something that I most likely would not be able to attend, but by your sharing here on your blog, I am able to glean a little bit of this, and continue to expand my horizons as well!
Thanks so much for sharing this Julie. A lecture like this is something that I most likely would not be able to attend, but by your sharing here on your blog, I am able to glean a little bit of this, and continue to expand my horizons as well!
Thanks so much for sharing this Julie. A lecture like this is something that I most likely would not be able to attend, but by your sharing here on your blog, I am able to glean a little bit of this, and continue to expand my horizons as well!
Thanks so much for sharing this Julie. A lecture like this is something that I most likely would not be able to attend, but by your sharing here on your blog, I am able to glean a little bit of this, and continue to expand my horizons as well!
Lucky you! Thanks for the insight into his methods.
Lucky you! Thanks for the insight into his methods.
Lucky you! Thanks for the insight into his methods.
Lucky you! Thanks for the insight into his methods.
Lucky you! Thanks for the insight into his methods.
Contrary to what Glaser thinks, clocks are very important to me. I have a retro style analog clock in my kitchen and the usual digitals elsewhere. I can’t imagine my life without an actual clock and if I don’t see one around, I miss it.
Great article
lin
Contrary to what Glaser thinks, clocks are very important to me. I have a retro style analog clock in my kitchen and the usual digitals elsewhere. I can’t imagine my life without an actual clock and if I don’t see one around, I miss it.
Great article
lin
Contrary to what Glaser thinks, clocks are very important to me. I have a retro style analog clock in my kitchen and the usual digitals elsewhere. I can’t imagine my life without an actual clock and if I don’t see one around, I miss it.
Great article
lin
Contrary to what Glaser thinks, clocks are very important to me. I have a retro style analog clock in my kitchen and the usual digitals elsewhere. I can’t imagine my life without an actual clock and if I don’t see one around, I miss it.
Great article
lin
Contrary to what Glaser thinks, clocks are very important to me. I have a retro style analog clock in my kitchen and the usual digitals elsewhere. I can’t imagine my life without an actual clock and if I don’t see one around, I miss it.
Great article
lin
yes! i looked at his work on the links, and i was blown away. he’s superb. 🙂
yes! i looked at his work on the links, and i was blown away. he’s superb. 🙂
yes! i looked at his work on the links, and i was blown away. he’s superb. 🙂
yes! i looked at his work on the links, and i was blown away. he’s superb. 🙂
yes! i looked at his work on the links, and i was blown away. he’s superb. 🙂
I have been a follower of Milton Glaser since the sixties. He is one of the great designers. He is one of my idols in design. I envy you the chance to see him in person. Thank you for sharing some of his comments!
I have been a follower of Milton Glaser since the sixties. He is one of the great designers. He is one of my idols in design. I envy you the chance to see him in person. Thank you for sharing some of his comments!
I have been a follower of Milton Glaser since the sixties. He is one of the great designers. He is one of my idols in design. I envy you the chance to see him in person. Thank you for sharing some of his comments!
I have been a follower of Milton Glaser since the sixties. He is one of the great designers. He is one of my idols in design. I envy you the chance to see him in person. Thank you for sharing some of his comments!
I have been a follower of Milton Glaser since the sixties. He is one of the great designers. He is one of my idols in design. I envy you the chance to see him in person. Thank you for sharing some of his comments!
Oh my gosh! Are you kidding me?!!!
What an honor…..
~Robin Redd
Oh my gosh! Are you kidding me?!!!
What an honor…..
~Robin Redd
Oh my gosh! Are you kidding me?!!!
What an honor…..
~Robin Redd
Oh my gosh! Are you kidding me?!!!
What an honor…..
~Robin Redd
Oh my gosh! Are you kidding me?!!!
What an honor…..
~Robin Redd
What an inspirational evening you have had. How can one find when and where he will be talking next? I would love to go
What an inspirational evening you have had. How can one find when and where he will be talking next? I would love to go
What an inspirational evening you have had. How can one find when and where he will be talking next? I would love to go
What an inspirational evening you have had. How can one find when and where he will be talking next? I would love to go
What an inspirational evening you have had. How can one find when and where he will be talking next? I would love to go
I assume you can visit his website for that information. 🙂
I assume you can visit his website for that information. 🙂
I assume you can visit his website for that information. 🙂
I assume you can visit his website for that information. 🙂
I assume you can visit his website for that information. 🙂