Jessica Helfand

Jessica Helfand|Critique

Fifty Shades of Cynicism

When did we become so cynical—about ephemera?

Jessica Helfand|Photos

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what’s a painting worth? Judging from these images, it’s hard to say.

Jessica Helfand|Commentary

The Language of Torture

A few words on the magnitude of the primary source

Jessica Helfand|Commentary

Questionable Inheritances

Today, a search for Paul Rand will bring you, in seconds, to Rand Paul. But it was not always so, and for this we can thank Leon Wieseltier, whose departure from a 30-year reign at The New Republic was just announced

Michael Bierut|Audio

The Observatory: Dollars and Change

On this episode of The Observatory, Michael Bierut and Jessica Helfand discuss the midterm election and currency design.

Michael Bierut|Audio

The Observatory: Epidemics and Theater

On this episode of The Observatory, Jessica and Michael talk about design, performance, and fear of Ebola. 

Jessica Helfand|Critique

Deathiquette: A Design Problem

What does it mean to mourn in the modern world?

Jessica Helfand|Tributes

Howard Paine: 1929–2014

Remembering Howard Paine, National Geographic art director and stamp designer extraordinaire

Jessica Helfand|Critique

To Thine Own Selfie Be True

Photographing oneself has become a singular pastime, an instantly rewarding yet indisputably time-sucking activity poised somewhere between narcotic and sport.

Jessica Helfand|Case Studies

Publication as Parody

Stephen Colbert copied our cover and we were thrilled. But then we wondered: when does copycat design become inappropriate, or unethical, or illegal?

Jessica Helfand|Photos

Fast Thinking

Is this a slapstick fall captured as a slow-motion sideshow? Or an example of how accelerated exposure times tell a different story?

Jessica Helfand|Insights Per Minute

Jessica Helfand on Brevity

Jessica Helfand, a founding editor of Design Observer, is an award-winning graphic designer, writer, and educator.