10 Inspiring Graphic Design Quotes

Whenever you think you have a creator’s block or dealing with a client who simply doesn’t get where you are coming from, try to keep calm and step into the minds of some of the most influential graphic designers of our time. Their approach towards the craft could be the little therapy to get your creatives juices flowing again.


1. Milton Glaser

“There are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no, and WOW!
Wow is the one to aim for”

Creator of the iconic I ❤ NY logo, Milton Glaser is a famed graphic designer and cofounder of New York magazine. His iconic designs include DC Comics’ logo, Obama’s campaign poster, and Bob Dylan poster.

via: it’s nice that
via: Milton Glaser

2. Stefan Sagmeister

“YOU CAN HAVE AN ART EXPERIENCE IN FRONT OF A REMBRANDT… OR IN FRONT OF A PIECE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN”

Stefan Sagmeister is the founder of design agency Sagmeister INC. Known for his innovative use of typography and the work done with the music industry, including designs for Lou Reed, the Rolling Stones, to name a few.

via: Sagmeister INC
via: Sagmeister INC

3. Michael Bierut

If you do good work for good clients, it will lead to other good work for other good clients. If you do bad work for bad clients, it will lead to other bad work for other bad clients

One of the partners at Pentagram, Michael Bierut’s dazzling client list not only includes brands such Disney, Warner Bros., the New York Jets but also civic and metropolitan bodies.

via: Pentagram
via: AIGA
via: Pentagram

4. Neville Brody

Digital design is like painting, except the paint never dries

Neville Brody has worked as art director for magazine and album covers. He is known for his work for the short-lived but stunning The Face magazine, as well as for designing record covers for artists such as Clock DVA, Cabaret Voltaire, The Bongos, and Depeche Mode.

via: Brody Associates
via: Brody Associates

5. Paula Scher

It’s through mistakes that you actually can grow. You have to get bad in order to get good

Another partner at Pentagram, Paula Scher is a brand identity designer, painter and art educator in design, known for her eclectic sense and bold use of typography. Scher’s clients have included The New York Times Magazine, The Museum of Modern Art, and Microsoft, among many others.

via: Pentagram
via: Behance

6. David Carson

Graphic design will save the world right after rock and roll does

David Carson is best known for his innovative magazine design, and use of experimental grunge typography showcased in alternative music magazines like Ray Gun.

via: davidcarsondesign.com
via: davidcarsondesign.com

7. Bob Gill

I’ve never had a problem with a dumb client. There is no such thing as a bad client. Part of our job is to do good work and get the client to accept it

The G in F/F/G which later became design powerhouse Pentagram, Bob Gill as an illustrator has had the longest association with magazines such as Fortune, Esquire and Glamour.

image: Mark Mahaney via: it’s nice that
via: Bob Gill image: Mark Mahaney via: it’s nice that

8. Chip Kidd

If you can properly define the problem, then you’ve already defined the solution as well

Chip Kidd is one of the most prolific and sought after book cover designer, having worked on everything from classic graphic novels for DC to Peanuts to Murakami.

via: chipkidd.com
via: chipkidd.com

9. Susan Kare

Good design’s not about what medium you’re working in. It’s about thinking hard about what you want to do and what you have to work with before you start

8 bit queen, Susan Kare, one of the very first pixel artists, with the earliest Apple Macintosh icons, typefaces and interfaces to her credit.

via: Susan Kare
via: Susan Kare

10. Frank Chimero

People ignore designs that ignore people

Previously, a co-founder and head of design at Abstract, Frank Chimero is an independant brand designer and collage artist with clients including Adobe, Facebook, and Nike.

via: frank chimero
via: Frank

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