Lessons From A Design Icon

Last month, the design, creative and comic book industries lost one of their very own, Milton Glaser.

I thought I would honor his life by sharing some facts about him and what he learned in his 90+ years. After all, at SJS we are all about creativity, design and comics. So here are some facts…

• He was born on June 26, 1929.
• He passed away on June 26, 2020 — on his 91st birthday.
• He designed many well-respected logos, such as the 1982 Wonder Woman’s main symbol, DC comic bullet icon — oh and that very famous one, I ❤️ NY, just to name a few.

I had the privilege of meeting Milton early last year at School of Visual Arts event in NYC. I was inspired, in awe and became a groupie right away. I’m sure you can see it in my very cheesy smile. Milton, however, was the coolest 90-year-old man I’d ever met! Wisdom just spewed out of him as he spoke. I’m forever grateful to my friend and colleague, Nancy Ruzow, for that free ticket! Thank you, Nancy!

Here are 10 wise phrases he’s shared with the world.

These are great rules to live by for any designer or freelancer. I dare not say creative, because he hated that word, especially used as a noun. Read more on each topic here.

1. Only work for people that you like.
2. If you have a choice, never have a job.
3. Some people are toxic — avoid them.
4. Professionalism is not enough.
5. Less in not necessarily more.
6. Style is not to be trusted.
7. How you live changes your brain.
8. Doubt is better than certainty.
9. On aging — It doesn’t matter what you think.
10. Tell the truth!

It was a pleasure to hear Milton, meet him and learn from him. He had many sayings as well. My favorite one is…

“THERE ARE THREE RESPONSES TO A PIECE OF DESIGN—YES, NO, AND WOW! WOW IS THE ONE TO AIM FOR.”

That’s what we strive for with each project at SJS! Don’t take my word for it, just check out what our clients say about us.

What’s one of the rules you live by?