Michael Bierut

Michael Bierut, a prominent graphic designer and design critic known for his impactful work at Pentagram, shares insights from his legendary career. He reflects on a breakthrough design that launched his trajectory and candidly discusses his decision for semi-retirement to explore new creative avenues. Michael reveals lessons learned from early missteps and emphasizes the balance between familiarity and novelty in design. He also critiques modern book cover trends and urges mentorship for younger designers as a fulfilling path forward.

Michael Bierut, an influential designer known for his logo expertise, dives into the evolving significance of logos in today's design culture. He discusses how the internet has intensified debates over logo designs, from political branding to consumer emotional connections. The conversation navigates the complexities of redesigns, touching on memorable cases like the Gap logo. Bierut emphasizes the balance between simplicity and creativity in design, while also exploring nostalgic elements from 80s movies, spotlighting both cultural impact and personal anecdotes.

Join design legends Massimo Vignelli, known for the iconic 1972 NYC subway map, and Michael Bierut, a celebrated partner at Pentagram, as they celebrate two decades of profound design discussions. They explore the ethical dimensions of design and its societal impact. The conversation dives into the evolution of aesthetics and the subtle dance between meaningful design and superficial trends. They also tackle navigating client expectations while advocating for authentic branding and the transformative power of thoughtful design choices.

Design royalty Paula Scher, Emily Oberman and Michael Bierut celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pentagram. They discuss the unique structure and success of Pentagram, the power of a strong work culture, the partner-owned business model, competition and inspiration in the industry, the adoption of successful systems, and the unique culture and identity of Pentagram.

Michael Bierut, a legendary designer from Pentagram, shares insights from his illustrious career as he approaches semi-retirement. He discusses the importance of collaboration between humans and technology in design innovation. The conversation revisits his infamous 'H' logo for Hillary Clinton, emphasizing the emotional power of political branding. Additionally, Bierut reflects on mentorship and its influence on success, while the hosts analyze the latest design trends including Apple's Liquid Glass and new product innovations.