In October of last year I attended the 2003 AIGA National Design Conference in Vancouver, BC. It was an amazing experience for my first design conference, to be face to face with rock star designers that I learned about in Graphic Design history class. One designer in particular that left a lasting impression on me was Stefan Sagmeister. He gave a speech in the Student symposium titled “Humor in Design,” in which he explained to us his worst 5 projects. In a way that only he could tell the stories, with his German accent every word out of him mouth was hilarious.
He went on to read us a list, that looked like he had jotted down on the plane to Canada, which he called “14 Things I have learned in my Life.” Some points are more interesting than others, but overall I felt it was quite profound coming from such a successful designer. He was halfway through the list when I tried to write them down, so I emailed him for the list when I got home and he shot this right back to me.
Hey paul, Here it is:
Made a little list of things I learned in my life:1. Helping other people helps me
2. Having guts always works out positively
3. Thinking that life will be better in the future is stupid. I have to live now.
4. Organizing a charity group is surprisingly easy
5. Being not truthful always works against me
6. Good and bad things I do always come back to me
7. Assuming is stifling
8. Drugs feel great in the beginning and become a drag later on
9. Over time I get used to everything and start taking for granted
10. Money does not make me happy
11. Traveling alone is helpful for a new perspective on life
12. Keeping a diary supports personal development
13. The need to look good limits ones life
14. Material luxuries are best enjoyed in small doses
many warm greetings
Stefan
I found it to be quite inspiring.
