Category: Essays

Steven Heller|Essays

Nuclear Fear

Remembering the late Robert Blakeley, designer of the fallout shelter symbol, and the nuclear fear of the 50’s.

Chris Pullman|Essays

Jack Stauffacher: Typographer, Scholar, Teacher, and Polymath

Chris Pullman remembers AIGA Medalist and revered typographer Jack Stauffacher, who passed away a few days before his 97th birthday.

Michael Bierut|Essays

Everything I Know About Design I Learned from The Sopranos

After eight years, 86 episodes, and untold quantities of gobbagool, The Sopranos finished its run on HBO. And this is what we’ve learned, from a design point of view.

Michael Bierut|Essays

I Love the 80s

Miami Vice: the quintessential postmodern design artifact, in all its glory and all its disgrace.

Lilly Smith|Essays

For She Should Run, Politics Today are all About the Brand

Lesley Stordahl, Creative Director at CBX, explains how the design agency worked with non-profit group She Should Run to develop their brand and set strategies to meet lofty goals (like getting 250,000 women to run for elected office by …

Michael Bierut|Essays

Now You See It

There was a message hidden in the illustration on the cover of the New York Times Book Review. At least I think it was hidden. Did you see it? Why didn’t I?

Ken Gordon|Essays

Jane Jacobs Took It to the Streets

So much of our legendary urbanist’s accomplishments involved bringing the design of cities down to earth from the soaring views of modernists.

Steven Heller|Essays

Designing for the Masses

The ultimate case for anti-design: The Communist Manifesto

Michael Bierut|Essays

What’s That Crashing Sound, Or, Eisenman in Cincinnati

I had chosen to spend five years in a place that many considered the ugliest college campus in America.

Michael Bierut|Essays

Learning to Draw with Jon Gnagy

“Mike looks like he might be a real artist!”

Julie Anixter|Essays

Speaking of Home: Saint Paul Skyways become Immigrant Portrait Gallery

“The goals of empowering new Americans, supporting diversity, and teaching tolerance are all critical to the long-term health of our city.”

Steven Heller|Essays

Christoph Niemann’s Creative Powers: A Mystery Investigated

Steven Heller uncovers what makes Christoph Niemann a veritable illustration Superman.