Top Essays of 2014

As we wrap up 2014 this week, we present—in no particular order—the top posts on Design Observer from the past year. We laughed, we cried, we read, we visited museums, we wrote (a lot). Stay tuned for a list of our top visual posts of the year tomorrow!

As ever, thanks for reading! —The Editors

In 2014:

Michael Bierut remembered Massimo Vignelli. He also remebered Bill.

Rob Walker wrote on the physical perils—and perks—of play

Francisco Laranjo wanted to keep critical graphic design relevant (and still does in 2015): but what does that mean?

Alexandra Lange explained why love (of design) isn’t blind in a letter to swissmiss

We reprinted Adam Harrison Levy’s interview with Henry Singer about the triumph of “the falling man” to coincide with the opening of the September 11 Memorial Museum in lower Manhattan

Chris Pullman examined what Wolfgang Weigart’s covers for Typografische and how they changed what we think of Swiss typography.

Rob Walker marveled at an antidote to paparazzi that begged to photographed

Nikki Sylianteng asked: To park or not to park?

MoMA released its first digital-only publication on Picasso and Adam Harrison Levy revealed the story behind an unknown interview with the artist

Chappell Ellison pleaded the case for better design journalism

To mark the publishing of Jason Santa Maria’s On Web Typography, we excerpted a section of the book about smart (and dumb) quotes

Rick Poynor joined the ranks of pinners

Sam Jacob visited an exhibit of designer Daniel Weil’s clocks and “things“

Erik Spiekermann wrote about symmetry and its demerits

During a week celebrating Paul Rand’s centennial, we republished Jessica Helfand on his impact on postwar corporate America and Michael Bierut thought some thoughts on Thoughts on Design

A short film was made to help young people think about and embrace the possibility of design

Véronique Vienne saw two monumental exhibits in Paris

Observed