Stefan Sagmeister: 7 Key Works on Graphic Design

Learn about the legendary graphic designer through the defining moments of his career

Born in Austria, Stefan Sagmeister is one of the most respected graphic designers of the world. Known by his distinct sense of humor and unique perspective on art, design, type, and illustration – his award-winning projects span from personal art to branding and music album covers, as well as striking and complex pieces that don’t fit into a specific discipline.

Make sure to catch here his exclusive Domestika Live session next Thursday 9 April at 13:00 hrs (CT). Stefan will be telling us about how he started as a designer and the highlights of his career that have led him to where he is today. You can also watch the recording at any time here.

Now, learn more about this iconic designer with some of the key moments in his career.

The AIGA Detroit poster

In 1999, Sagmeister was about to give a lecture in AIGA (The American Institute of Graphic Arts) Detroit. To visually represent the pain that seems to accompany the design projects, his intern carved the typography into his skin. This bold (and painful) statement caught the eye of the art community for his unique sense of humor, tending to the absurd.

The Happy Film

It’s a documentary movie about happiness released in 2013. It’s a look at all the strategies that serious psychologists recommend to improve wellbeing. They include meditation, cognitive therapy and psychological drugs. Sagmeister tried out all these techniques and experiences and reported the results with stunning visuals and a fascinating narrative.

The Happy Film titles:

Trailer:

Made You Look

Made You Look is a 2009 compilation of Sagmeister’s work over 20 years, furthermore, it is a one of a kind object. It’s a paperback edition in a red transparent slip-case that changes the mood of the dog when it’s removed. By bending it over, the title changes in the fore-edge. It includes excerpts of his handwritten diary. This book excels in editorial design innovation.

Things I have learned in my life so far

This book began as a list of things that Sagmeister made in his diary. It was transformed into powerful statements about the pursuit of happiness, such as “Worrying solves nothing”. He transformed these sentences into typographic works, from billboards to inflatable animals. This book is an eclectic mix of art, personal revelations, advice on creativity and amazing graphic design. The book consists of 15 unbound signatures in a laser-cut slipcase; and by shuffling them, you will produce 15 different covers.

Sagmeister & Walsh

Is the design partnership of Stefan Sagmeister and graphic designer Jessica Walsh. In 2012, after nearly 20 years of his independent firm Sagmeister Inc., Jessica Walsh was made partner to form the new agency. In 2019 they decided to collaborate only in self-initiated creative arts projects.

On the positive aspects of running an independent studio, Sagmeister says: “We are not financially dependent on our clients, we have the freedom to pursue unusual directions, we are nimble, we are focused, we are responsible, we all get to design, and be involved in all aspects of the job, so we are not bored”.

Rolling Stones “Bridges to Babylon”

The Bridges to Babylon cover for the Rolling Stones features an Assyrian lion embedded into a specially manufactured filigree slipcase. The interior reveals a long strip of desert. Sagmeister had previously designed cover arts for Lou Reed and David Byrne. But working with Mick Jagger was a new challenge. Sagmeister visited the British Museum’s Babylonian collection for inspiration on this concept art for the album, stage designs and merch. The album case instantly became a collectible art piece.

Beauty

Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh created this multimedia exhibition that addresses the concept of beauty and why people feel attracted to it. It explores how we deal with beauty in our daily lives and some of its positive effects. It includes examples of product design, graphic design, architecture and city planning to demonstrate the effectiveness of beautiful objects and its intrinsic functionality. Currently, the exhibit is in Germany.

You may be interested in:

- Domestika Talks: Santiago Carrasquilla.
- Domestika Talks: Vasava.
- Domestika Talks: Marta Cerdà.