Why “Now is Better” from the Eyes of a Designer - E41

How does long-term thinking influence creativity?

Rei sits down with renowned designer Stefan Sagmeister to explore how the interpretation of data through art can shift public consciousness towards optimism. The episode places particular emphasis on Stephan’s exhibition “Now is Better,” which centers around the idea of long-term thinking of humanity’s progression. The conversation dives into Stephan’s underlying philosophies throughout his design process, belief in “low-function design”, and thoughts on balancing beauty and functionality.

Stefan Sagmeister has designed for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, HBO, and the Guggenheim Museum. He’s a two time Grammies winner and also earned practically every important international design award.

Stefan talks about the large subjects of our lives like happiness or beauty, how they connect to design and what that actually means to our everyday lives. He spoke 5 times at the official TED, making him one of the three most frequently invited TED speakers.

His books sell in the hundreds of thousands and his exhibitions have been mounted in museums around the world. His exhibit ’The Happy Show' attracted way over half a million visitors worldwide and became the most visited graphic design show in history. 

A native of Austria, he received his MFA from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and, as a Fulbright Scholar, a master’s degree from Pratt Institute in New York.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Exploring Long-Term Thinking in Design and Art
• 5:10 The Long-Term Perspective on Global Democracy and Progress
• 8:40 Transforming Antique Art with Modern Data Representations
• 15:56 The Intersection of Art, Design, and Commercial Viability
• 19:43 Exploring Communication Design Beyond Commercial Boundaries
• 20:48 The Intersection of Design and Art in Austrian Culture
• 22:16 Blurring the Lines Between Design and Art
• 26:11 The Allure of Low Functioning Design in Modern Life
• 30:41 The Joy of Low Functionality in Everyday Activities
• 34:43 The Sliding Scale Between Art and Design
• 36:20 The Interplay of Beauty, Function, and Form in Design
• 41:29 The Intersection of Design, Art, and Functionality
• 46:11 Three Takeaways

Episode References:

• Stefan Sagmeister | Online Portfolio
• Stefan Sagmeister | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X
• I&CO | Corporate Site

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