The Greatest Designers of our Age #4: Stefan Sagmeister
An inspired, outrageous, one off
I was always very interested in Stefan Sagmeister and his incredible work. Very early on in his career, he was publishing the most outrageous self-promotional work, which garnered huge attention in the design industry, and beyond. His work seemed beyond my reach as a designer, one of those designers who managed to acquire work that seemed almost unbelievable. So glorious, sophisticated and out there. Such incredible talent demands attention, and justifiably, Stefan is world-renowned for his unique, vibrant imagination and his stylish calligraphy, usually infused onto some living thing. Occasionally, himself.
Sagmeister was born in Bregenz, Austria in 1962. After graduating from high school, he was enrolled in an engineering college. He had a zeal for designing, however – from an early age. This passion later led him to enroll in a graphic design course.
At the age of 15, he began his career with Alphorn. He wrote articles for the Austrian left-wing youth magazine initially. However, he soon realized that designing was what he really preferred, thus making a shift from to design. For the cover of the Anarchy issue of Alphorn, he displayed his design creativity for the first time with the DIY graphic.
He gained an admission on his second attempt (much like myself, I had to beg to get in!) – to study graphic designing at the University of Applied Arts, Vienna. In 1985, he earned his M.F.A. degree at the university.
New York
Sagmeister’s ingenuity earned him a Fulbright scholarship in 1987 to study at the Pratt Institute in New York. It was while studying there that he connected with Tibor Kalman.
After completing his studies in New York, Sagmeister returned to his native Austria for mandatory service. He then moved to Hong Kong in 1991 to work with the Hong Kong Design Group of Leo Burnett.
The controversial designer would return to New York in 1992 after being criticized heavily by the audience for designing a poster that reflected his unique sense of humor for a “4As” advertising awards ceremony. (Showing several bent over naked men. I quite like it. People are too sensitive these days, no? It is Hong Kong, I suppose.)
On his return, he worked for some time with Kalman’s M&Co studio. The design firm reportedly supported his application for the U.S. green card.
He didn’t work for long at M&Co before he formed his own company in 1993. (Kalman leaving to work full time on his sometimes-controversial Benneton “Colours” magazine. You can see the influence Kalman had on the yound stefan. His bold, aggresive images and sharp type would shape Sagmeisters keen eye for commercial success and provocation.) After Kalman had closed his studio in the city and moved to Italy, Stefan started hiw own design practice: Sagmeister Inc. in New York.
The biggest influence on the designing career of Sagmeister was Kalman. He told AIGA in an interview: “Tibor Kalman was the single most influential person in my design life and my one and only design hero.”
While studying at the Pratt Institute, he persistently called the M&Co studio for an opportunity to see the founder. The pair found that they had a lot in common when Kalman finally agreed to a meeting. (A great example to young designers everywhere, and indeed everyone. Who can resist such persistence? If you really want to work for someone, just make it happen! People don’t have much in-built resistance. Just keep wearing them down…!)
The former Colours editor-in-chief provided helpful guidance for Sagmeister while working at M&Co. The younger designer collected all the knowledge and advice he could – and that would help shape his career.
A major influence Kalman had on the young designer was that he encouraged him to freely express his creativity. This gave a boost to his creative restlessness that pushes him to try new things and evolve his elaborate typographical skills.
Following the relocation of Kalman to Rome for the Colors position, Sagmeister took an interest in music designs for his favorite artists. He told AIGA in a later interview: “I get a bigger kick out of meeting some of my musical heroes than sitting in meetings with a marketing director, which I did a lot before I opened my own specialized studio.” (I can relate. Talking to one of my hero’s last year, George Louis, was one of the highlights of my life! I’ve recently been in touch with Richard Danne, (designer of the legendary NASA logo) and was thrilled to meet him as well!)
Impressed by Sagmeister’s design skills, Lou Reed contacted him to design a cover for his 1996 album, “Set the Twilight Reeling.” He has gone on to design CD covers for some of his other musical idols, including David Byrne, Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones, and Jay-Z.
Take a walk on the wild side, baby. @Sagmeister
Sagmeister & Walsh
Nineteen years after starting Sagmeister Inc., the famous designer announced that he was forming a partnership. He announced in 2012 that he has added Jessica Walsh as his business partner.
Walsh was working at Print magazine as an associate art director when she reached out to Sagmeister. She wanted the respected graphic designer’s opinion on her portfolio, plus career guidance.
The then-25-year-old Walsh jumped at his offer to come work with him, and resigned her position at Print the following day. She would continue to work with Stefan for almost a decade together, creating memorable and ingenuous art and advertising.)
Stefan continues to work today, stepping back from commercial work to focus more on more personal projects.
Clients that Sagmeister has worked for include AIGA, HBO and Time Warner. His works are on display in several cities around the world.
Stefan, along with many great designers, acts as an inspirtation to us mere mortals. He shows us what we can do, what is possible and dares us to try harder. Don’t be satisfied with ordinary, his designs demand. Reach for the extraordinary. Forget ordinary. Despise vanilla. To paraphrase the Great George Louis: “Advertising (or design) is poison gas. It should bring tears to your eyes, unhinge your nervous system and knock you out.” Well said George!
Let your designs knock people out. We are here to inspire, to be bold, to be creative and have FUN. Let’s get to it and make some magic!
