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Jun 26, 2009 Bruce Green rated it it was amazing

This book contains a collection of interviews of graphic designers conducted by fellow designer Debbie Millman.
As a designer doing a lot of web developing recently, reading this book is a perfect anodyne for those times when I hit a wall coding. I've met several of the subjects Debbie interviews but my brief intro's and questions only provided a glimpse of who they are. What's nice is that she infuses such shared experience and knowledge into each question that it brings out those responses I wa This book contains a collection of interviews of graphic designers conducted by fellow designer Debbie Millman.
As a designer doing a lot of web developing recently, reading this book is a perfect anodyne for those times when I hit a wall coding. I've met several of the subjects Debbie interviews but my brief intro's and questions only provided a glimpse of who they are. What's nice is that she infuses such shared experience and knowledge into each question that it brings out those responses I was looking for.
It's heartening and encouraging to hear "rock star" designers confess their human failings. They just work harder than most. ...more

Mar 17, 2015 Nelson Zagalo rated it it was amazing

Debbie Millman was able to build an highly enjoyable journey through the minds of celebrated designers. We get to understand how they think, what motivates them, what makes them anger, fear, content and happy.
If you want to be a designer, this book is obligatory. If you want to know how a mind of a designer works, read this book. If you want a glimpse on the creative thought, its challenges, concerns, disruptions, deficiencies as its marvels, read this book.

More in my blog (PT) - http://virtual

More in my blog (PT) - http://virtual-illusion.blogspot.com/...

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Jan 25, 2009 Megan rated it really liked it

This was not only a great read as a graphic designer (finding insight into some fantastically talented creative minds), but also a thoughtful journey into what vocation means...how we are called to some tasks and find pleasure in them. This book made me think a lot about what I love and what I want to do and learn more about and pursue. It was creatively inspiring without being a myopic designer's book--I felt less torn about wanting to do a million things and being interested in everything. I a This was not only a great read as a graphic designer (finding insight into some fantastically talented creative minds), but also a thoughtful journey into what vocation means...how we are called to some tasks and find pleasure in them. This book made me think a lot about what I love and what I want to do and learn more about and pursue. It was creatively inspiring without being a myopic designer's book--I felt less torn about wanting to do a million things and being interested in everything. I appreciated that the interviewees were humble and human--this is not a pretentious coffee table book, but real conversations between human beings discussing what it means to create and fail and break molds. ...more

Dec 28, 2010 Michael rated it liked it

As other reviewers have pointed out, a more appropriate, if maybe not as sales-worthy title for this book would be, "Thoughts of the Great Graphic Designers". It contains a series of interviews with the some of the most recognizable names in graphic design - this is not a how-to book! Still, if you take the contents of the interviews to heart, I think there's a lot of inspiration anyone can take away.

My review would be more positive except for the few interviews that wound up being conducted by

My review would be more positive except for the few interviews that wound up being conducted by email or phone. When compared with the content that the author was able to capture from those she sat and talked with directly, the other sections are shallow and uninteresting.

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Jul 31, 2018 Mat Boyle rated it it was amazing

Do yourself a favor and ignore the title! As is said in the introduction, it's not a 'how to manual' or some kind 'process', it's actually some great interviews with graphic designers like Stefan Sagmeister, Peter Saville & Paula Scher (to name but three), who give beautifully honest interviews that will make you realize that even the best are insecure / sometimes deliver work they're unhappy with; which was a huge relief to read!

For those who've ever had self doubt about themselves or their des

For those who've ever had self doubt about themselves or their designs, this is the book you need to put those worries aside and focus on doing what you love!

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Feb 15, 2012 Skyler rated it it was ok

While a book of interviews wasn't what I expected when I originally bought it, this book was ok. There are some real gems in here. The funny thing is in almost every single case, whether or not I a particular interview had nothing to do with the person being interviewed or what they said, but how the interview was conducted. Almost every interview conducted via email felt flat and lifeless. The ones done in person came to life and engaged me. I realize it's not always possible to conduct in pers While a book of interviews wasn't what I expected when I originally bought it, this book was ok. There are some real gems in here. The funny thing is in almost every single case, whether or not I a particular interview had nothing to do with the person being interviewed or what they said, but how the interview was conducted. Almost every interview conducted via email felt flat and lifeless. The ones done in person came to life and engaged me. I realize it's not always possible to conduct in person interviews, but I can't help but wonder what this book would've been like had all the email interviews been done in person instead. ...more

I first listened to Debbie's podcast around 1 year ago, and I just discovered this book like one week ago! She has deep expertise in this area. I like the idea of bringing lots of great designers and artists and asking tough, mindblowing questions.

This book is a compilation, a culmination, a cornucopia of interviews of Debbie along with her great guests in her podcast. While it seems superficial, the guests are some of the most talented artists, such as Massimo Vignelli, Milton Glaser, Paula Sch

The first thing that I like about the book is the way she asks questions--she dug deep & did some research! Some examples: how is your design process, how he/she gets inspired, how to start a project, how do you know if a project is finished, etc. It's personal, exciting, funny, and philosophical, and inspiring. I got lots of inspirations while I read this. It can get a little boring if you're not familiar with the guest, but the answer and lessons are worth it, especially for aspiring designers/artists out there.

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Definitely mis-titled. This is really a series of interviews with some of the iconic designers of our time, but it's not in any way a "how to" book. You will learn some of the though processes of the designers, but very little about design itself. That said, it's an excellent intro to who's who and going through the books interviewees and following up on Google will give you some great examples.

Also, as others have noted, the email interviews follow a sort of generic template and don't have the

Also, as others have noted, the email interviews follow a sort of generic template and don't have the liveliness that the face-to-face ones do.

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A remarkable collection of interviews with some of the brilliant graphic designers of the world revealing the unknown facets of their life, career, and craft. Debbie Millman had done a commendable job of bringing the booty of an extraordinary treasure hunt to readers to enjoy. The budding and practicing design professionals would find this wonderful volume enlightening and inspiring.

Aug 22, 2018 Anni Millar rated it really liked it

Was an enjoyable read and insight to some amazing designers, although there was more I wanted to know. There was a few that I wasn't very familiar with but I'm now totally digging like Chip Kidd. Yup, good read but just missing out on 'Pure Dead Brilliant' status. Was an enjoyable read and insight to some amazing designers, although there was more I wanted to know. There was a few that I wasn't very familiar with but I'm now totally digging like Chip Kidd. Yup, good read but just missing out on 'Pure Dead Brilliant' status. ...more

Alright, this one has decent value Debbie asks interesting questions but I just prefer podcasts as its raw and it feels more honest then reading a dialog.
A collective wisdom of the best-known designers.

Aug 29, 2017 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Loved this. Easy to read since it's a series of short interview. Loved this. Easy to read since it's a series of short interview. ...more

Apr 18, 2019 Marc rated it liked it

This book was a good insight in to the, well known, minds of graphic designers. You will have to put yourself into the graphic designer's shoes to really enjoy this book. Good read. This book was a good insight in to the, well known, minds of graphic designers. You will have to put yourself into the graphic designer's shoes to really enjoy this book. Good read. ...more

Nov 22, 2019 Sean Lopez rated it it was amazing

Introspection, honesty, and advice from some of the greatest design minds (interviewed by Debbie Millman).

I recently saw a great exhibit called the HAPPY SHOW at the Chicago Cultural Center. The exhibit was the work of graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister depicting recent research about the nature of happiness. A couple of the primary lessons I took from it was that besides from the death of a child and having a relative with alzheimers happiness is not related substantially to external circumstances. Also after about $80,000 dollars per year the basic contentment and happiness of an individual does n I recently saw a great exhibit called the HAPPY SHOW at the Chicago Cultural Center. The exhibit was the work of graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister depicting recent research about the nature of happiness. A couple of the primary lessons I took from it was that besides from the death of a child and having a relative with alzheimers happiness is not related substantially to external circumstances. Also after about $80,000 dollars per year the basic contentment and happiness of an individual does not increase with more income. The whole show inspired me. It took an interesting topic and presented it in fun and engaging ways. It made me start to think about my own map making work as it relates to graphic design and being engaging.

Stefan Sagmeister, among a number of other influential New York based graphic designers, is interviewed in this book by Debbie Millman. Her interviews are chummy and intellectual. She asks open questions with genuine admiration for her interviewee. Although, at times the designers were a bit pretentious with a very New Yorker sophistication and snobbery because of their success it felt excusable. I did gain a deeper appreciation for graphic design as a medium and gained new ways to think about my own graphic work.

A number of designers discussed how graphic design has qualities of problem solving to develop ideas that communicate clearly while still appearing fresh. They emphasized the distinction between fine art making, where the artist is most interested in expressing themselves, and the graphic artist who is concerned with communicating very specific ideas accessibly. One designer discussed the importance of invested ambiguity which is a method of guiding the viewer using common symbols, such as "I [heart] NY" which uses the heart to symbolize love but is ambiguous enough to be appreciated by all kinds of people (I wonder if that is why certain fashion designers choose more androgynous models to allow the style to be more ambiguous and accessible to everyone instead of women or men).

As for map making the most valuable discussions were about fonts and the way fonts and language communicate moods. Apparently the most neutral font is Helvitica and Futura. One designer talked about how Bodoni is perfection- which made me feel good because I use that for all the titles in my maps. I hope to integrate some of the ideas from this book in some of my symbol choices and in the notion of finding the simplest most essential depiction to communicate information.

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As a brand new Graphic Design student specializing in Interactive Design, this book has been a great introduction to who's who in the industry. With the exception of maybe Massimo Vignelli and some of the other people that appeared on the film Helvetica, I had no idea who most of these people were. As a matter of fact, my first assignment for my Graphic Design Essentials class was to pick a designer from a list. I picked Stefan Sagmeister without really knowing that much about him, except that h As a brand new Graphic Design student specializing in Interactive Design, this book has been a great introduction to who's who in the industry. With the exception of maybe Massimo Vignelli and some of the other people that appeared on the film Helvetica, I had no idea who most of these people were. As a matter of fact, my first assignment for my Graphic Design Essentials class was to pick a designer from a list. I picked Stefan Sagmeister without really knowing that much about him, except that he takes long sabbaticals. Sagmeister is great, but I probably would have picked Peter Saville if I known about him first.

Debbie Millman is a wonderful interviewer too. I been catching up with the Design Matters podcast. The book is kind of like reading the Design Matters podcast. She asks each designer the same set of questions, but each one gives a unique and interesting answer. My favorites were Chip Kidd, Peter Saville, and Massimo Vignelli.

Overall it's a nice short little book and perfect for those interested in the field of design. The ebook version on Amazon is just 3.47 so there's no excuse.

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Dec 26, 2012 Brian Behm rated it really liked it

While it was reassuring reading that so many great designers exhibit tendencies and neuroses that are familiar to me it was also a little distressing hearing meticulously detailed philosophies on some designers work and how it should be done and then comparing it to my own methodology which is much more instinctual and less able to be articulated. I suppose it's a reminder that I need to be able to better articulate my philosophies.

The interviews kind of blended together after
a while. As much a

The interviews kind of blended together after
a while. As much as I wanted to specifically remember who i was reading about, by the end I was paying more attention to their story than their identity and since generally their names are only mentioned once (and for the most part didn't initially mean anything to me anyway) if have to go back at the end to remind myself whose interview I'd read.

Anyway, it's a worthwhile and enjoyable read.'i think i like the languidness of the author's design observer podcast better, but it was a good enough read so as to have been worthwhile.

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Jun 05, 2008 Melanie rated it it was amazing

Don't judge this book by it's cover and assume this little gem is going to tell you how to become some great graphic designer. Millman's collection of interviews with some of the greatest graphic designers alive today gives us an inside little peek into what they believe in, how they process design, their first creative moments and their biggest influences in design. All while revealing a bit of their personalities (along with some of their greatest strategies). If you're a designer like myself Don't judge this book by it's cover and assume this little gem is going to tell you how to become some great graphic designer. Millman's collection of interviews with some of the greatest graphic designers alive today gives us an inside little peek into what they believe in, how they process design, their first creative moments and their biggest influences in design. All while revealing a bit of their personalities (along with some of their greatest strategies). If you're a designer like myself who struggles with the ongoing debate of design in marketing and advertising (and who are, like myself, believers in the first things first manifesto while daily selling her/his soul away) this book, just might, help give you some insight on how to "make it all work". ...more

Jan 23, 2012 Emily rated it liked it

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I was required to read this for a class of mine, but it surprised me. The book features, simply, interviews with a number of well-known designers (or if you don't know of them, and you are a designer - get to know them!) I expected to hear much of the same throughout the interviews but every designer in this book offers such unique perspectives, styles, and introspective into this field and how to manage it financially, ethically, and personally. Design is an art, and these a

See full review here

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Nov 17, 2015 Saleh rated it it was ok

My star rating for this book is for the medium, and not the content. I enjoy and find the "Design Matters" podcast with Debbie's own and the interviewee's own voice much more interesting, entertaining, lively, and engaging.
I myself don't find interview books to be a competitive fit in the presence of recordings and video. It's somewhat disappointing in fact. I would expect that Debbie, with all the interviews she conducted about design, should be very aware of the importance of the right communi My star rating for this book is for the medium, and not the content. I enjoy and find the "Design Matters" podcast with Debbie's own and the interviewee's own voice much more interesting, entertaining, lively, and engaging.
I myself don't find interview books to be a competitive fit in the presence of recordings and video. It's somewhat disappointing in fact. I would expect that Debbie, with all the interviews she conducted about design, should be very aware of the importance of the right communication medium for a particular information format. Despite the expectations, she decided to publish a book of interviews apparently for the sake of publishing a book? ...more

Feb 22, 2011 Marc rated it really liked it

There's some really fantastic advice in here for any creative. Bring a highlighter with you when you read it. My Kindle app shows that I've made over 120 notes and marks in this book.

For the most part, the interviews are with people who are paid to put a special focus on identifying problems that can only be solved through the application of intuition. And the remarks on intuition are varied and fascinating.

The author spends a lot of time threading her personal experience through the book, which

There's some really fantastic advice in here for any creative. Bring a highlighter with you when you read it. My Kindle app shows that I've made over 120 notes and marks in this book.

The author spends a lot of time threading her personal experience through the book, which isn't terribly annoying but worth overlooking at times.

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May 31, 2013 Abby rated it it was amazing

Loved this book even though it took me forever to read it all. I'm not a non-fiction person, but the bite-sized interviews were fantastic to sit down and read one or two at a time. I purchased the book after reading about half of it and I think I'll want to go back and re-read and, although I usually don't write in books, underline, make notes, really digest it. Things take a few reads to really get in your bones and there are so many gems of affirming thoughts in here that make me feel like I d Loved this book even though it took me forever to read it all. I'm not a non-fiction person, but the bite-sized interviews were fantastic to sit down and read one or two at a time. I purchased the book after reading about half of it and I think I'll want to go back and re-read and, although I usually don't write in books, underline, make notes, really digest it. Things take a few reads to really get in your bones and there are so many gems of affirming thoughts in here that make me feel like I do actually belong in design even though I rarely feel that when I'm in class. ...more

Sep 06, 2013 kelly rated it liked it

I'd rather watch or listen to these interviews than read them. There were so many instances I found myself wondering exactly how they said that, or what the look on their face was, what their energy and mannerisms were like.
The Milton Glaser interview was most interesting to me. It's the only one I copied quotes from. The rest start to blend together and just serve as a reminder that yes, everyone thinks differently, there's no one right way to do it, and the paths to so-called greatness are ma I'd rather watch or listen to these interviews than read them. There were so many instances I found myself wondering exactly how they said that, or what the look on their face was, what their energy and mannerisms were like.
The Milton Glaser interview was most interesting to me. It's the only one I copied quotes from. The rest start to blend together and just serve as a reminder that yes, everyone thinks differently, there's no one right way to do it, and the paths to so-called greatness are many. ...more

I enjoyed this exercise in going to an area which I really have no affinity other than enjoying and being fascinated by book covers. I was surprised at the similarities between the writing and graphic design world. There also seemed to be a lot of cross over and I was intrigued by how the different artists approached their work and dealt with the inherent paradox of art versus commercial. The presence of the audience is front and center in graphic design, maybe it should be in every art form.

Sep 24, 2016 Gary rated it really liked it

This is one of those books that spins you into more research, more reading, more digging.

I liked reading the interviews for the designers I already knew about. I was intrigued to learn about the ones I wasn't familiar with.

The quality of the interviews seems to vary a great deal. It's obvious when some of them a clearly written correspondence and others are more natural language and the conversation flows into unintended areas—the unintended were more interesting.

I've always enjoyed Debbie Millm

This is one of those books that spins you into more research, more reading, more digging.

I liked reading the interviews for the designers I already knew about. I was intrigued to learn about the ones I wasn't familiar with.

I've always enjoyed Debbie Millman's podcast—this book was a nice aside.

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Dec 25, 2007 Ida rated it really liked it

This book was an impulse buy after receiving some less than hopefully feedback at design school. The interviews with top graphic designers reveal the varied personalities and strategies behind great design. Some interesting themes that came up include pessimism with design's place in relation to advertising, lack of confidence in evaluating one's own work, and the question of weather graphic design is art or not. This book was an impulse buy after receiving some less than hopefully feedback at design school. The interviews with top graphic designers reveal the varied personalities and strategies behind great design. Some interesting themes that came up include pessimism with design's place in relation to advertising, lack of confidence in evaluating one's own work, and the question of weather graphic design is art or not. ...more

Sep 07, 2010 Eric rated it really liked it

Admittedly, I haven't really connected to the live radio show interviews of design glitterati the author conducts, but these print interviews (whether culled from the radio show or not) are indispensable for young and seasoned designers alike. Peter Saville's insightful, cerebral, and ultimately cynical comments are worth the price of the book alone, even if they might leave the most optimistic of designers thinking much less of their craft. Admittedly, I haven't really connected to the live radio show interviews of design glitterati the author conducts, but these print interviews (whether culled from the radio show or not) are indispensable for young and seasoned designers alike. Peter Saville's insightful, cerebral, and ultimately cynical comments are worth the price of the book alone, even if they might leave the most optimistic of designers thinking much less of their craft. ...more

Aug 14, 2013 Bek rated it liked it

Interesting, but fairly self indulgent for designers to read. Some interviews are better than others but the format became stale after a 6 or 7 interviews. Made the design world seem super tiny + impossible to be successful in unless you know this core group of people ... Or maybe she only interviewed her friends. I have a general dislike for Stefan Sagmeister, so I did really ready his interview.

Debbie Millman is an American writer, educator, artist, and designer who is perhaps best known as the host of the Design Observer podcast 'Design Matters'. She is 'President of Design' at Sterling Brands, based in New York City, working with brands such as Pepsi, Gillette, Colgate, Kimberly-Clark, Nestlé, and Campbells. She chairs the 'Masters in Branding' program at the School of Visual Arts, is Debbie Millman is an American writer, educator, artist, and designer who is perhaps best known as the host of the Design Observer podcast 'Design Matters'. She is 'President of Design' at Sterling Brands, based in New York City, working with brands such as Pepsi, Gillette, Colgate, Kimberly-Clark, Nestlé, and Campbells. She chairs the 'Masters in Branding' program at the School of Visual Arts, is a contributing editor to Print, a blogger for Fast Company, and the 'President Emeritus' of AIGA. ...more

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"Design is one of the few disciplines that is a science as well as an art. Effective, meaningful design requires intellectual, rational rigor along with the ability to elicit emotions and beliefs. Thus, designers must balance both the logic and lyricism of humanity every time they design something, a task that requires a singularly mysterious skill." — 9 likes

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How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer Pdf Free

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