About this design
Hugely influential within the world of design Milton Glaser is someone I greatly admire. Since he became one of the founders of Pushpin Studios in 1954 in New York he has had a prolific and far reaching career that most designers can only dream of, myself included. I thought it appropriate to pay homage to the designer, referencing one of his most ubiquitous pieces of work.
After winning a Fulbright Scholarship to the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, Italy , Glaser studied etching under the guidance of painter Giorgio Morandi . Glaser once made a speech were he cited Morandi and Picasso as “artistic models.” Morandi's 'clarity of vision... unencumbered by emotionalism' and his modesty are in starck contrast to Picasso who wanted all the money, all the fame, all the accomplishment.
Always looking to fresh ground, Glaser has stated “ I never use the profession as a guide for what I aspire to”- with the influence of his work, I doubt many within the industry can say the same! Though he is a graphic designer he has kept illustration and drawing close to the centre of his work, despite the rise of photography in the 60s. He eloquently describes the power of the pencil: “ if you can't draw, then you're always using pre-existing material...you're always looking for stuff that already exists to demonstrate what it is you want to do. Clearly that's not the best way to start anything.”
Aside from his extensive body of work, Glaser has dedicated himself to teaching for the past 42 years and has remained generous with his time and wisdom, teaching at the School of Visual Arts, in New York, to this day.
If you get the opportunity, catch one of his permanent exhibitions at the following institutions:
