Milton Glaser at BYU
Thursday night (September 28, 2006) I was able to attend a lecture last at Brigham Young University where Milton Glaser was interviewed by Steven Heller (editor of the AIGA Journal of Graphic Design and the chair of the MFA design department at the School of Visual Arts). Being able to listen and learn from a living icon of graphic design was very interesting and educational. Here’s a few quotes from the conversation that I found quite inspiring:
On not developing a unique style: “If people know what you do, they have power over you.”
On style: “I fear arriving at a level of competence (in a specific style) and then being doomed to repeat it forever.”
On intuition: “Our intuition is smarter than our intellect.”
On drawing: “(exercising your drawing skills once a week is) much better than going to the gym.”
On Piero Della Francesca: “I like the classical framework combined with expressive form.”
On words: “Words are images.”
On art: “fine art is art that has had the impurities removed.”
“fine art is art that is created purely with the intent of producing a spiritual effect on the viewer.”
On learning: “(The greatest achievement of my life) has been being able to wake up learn something new each day.”
Overall I thought the even was great. It is not often that you get to hear words of wisdom from industry giants. I’ve been critical of Glaser in the past because I disagree with his ideas and methods on political issues. I was actually worried that he would lead the conversation in that direction, but he did not, he was very respectful of the audience, and answered every question honestly, openly, and encouraged learning and education at every opportunity.
Well worth a trip to Utah County.
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