Stefan Sagmeister

Stefan Sagmeister is a graphic designer and typographer who was born in Bregenz,Austria and attended the University of Applied Arts Vienna and the PrattInstitute. Stefan began his career at the young age of fifteen at an AustrianYouth Magazine called “Alphorn”. As years passed by, Stefan created his owndesign firm “Sagmeister Inc.” and has also created album covers for musicianssuch as Lou Reed, The Rolling Stones, David Byrne, Aerosmith, and Pat Metheny.In addition, Sagmeister Inc. also designed branding, graphics, and packaging for clients such as HBO, the Guggenheim Museum and Time Warner.

Currently Stefan teaches in the graduate department of the School of Visual Arts in New York. I admire the fact that Stefan seemingly maintains a healthy balance between his work life and personal life. To do this, Stefan takes a year-long sabbatical typically every seven years, and during his break his does not take any work from clients. Though the possibility for new work is tempting, Stefan declines any offers and stays true to himself and his time away from work. For example, Stefan was offered the chance to design a poster for Barack Obama and decline the opportunity because he was on leave.
As far as awards, Stefan received a Grammy in 2005 in the Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package category based on his art for the “Once in a Lifetime” box set for the Talking Heads. Additionally, Stefan was awarded a second Grammy for his design of the David Byrne and Brian Eno album “Everything That Happens Will Happy Today”. Another piece of work created by this talented designer includes the work for the musician Lou Reed and his “Set the Twilight Reeling” poster.

Below: Douglas Gordon’s 'the vanity of allegory’ ,a collection of postcardsfor the Guggenheim Museum, berlin by stefan sagmeister 2005.the wedge cut in the lid has a strip of mirror-foil on the right sideto reflect the other half of the word "vanity".

In eachposting I have included quotes from graphic designers themselves because I feel it helps us to understand their personality or character. In keeping with this tradition, here are two great quotes from Stefan Sagmeister:

“Complaining is silly. Either act or forget.”

“Having guts always works for me.”