Things I have learned in my life so far

Author: Stefan Sagmeister
ISBN: 0810995298
Manufacturer: Abrams
Customer Rating:

, based on 38 reviews

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Editorial Review:

This book began as a list designer Stefan Sagmeister made in his diary under the title Things I have learned in my life so far, which includes statements such as "Worrying solves nothing" and "Trying to look good limits my life." The list reveals something that is profoundly true: Although human beings have been pursuing happiness for countless generations, it is not so easily achieved. And we need constant reminders to keep us on the right path.

With the support of his clients, Sagmeister transformed these sentences into typographic works, from billboards in France to sign-toting inflatable monkeys on the streets of Scotland. Accompanied by essays from design historian Steven Heller, Guggenheim chief curator Nancy Spector, and UK psychologist Daniel Nettle, as well as Sagmeister's own words, the series is revealed as a complex blend of personal revelation, art, and design--an eclectic mix of visual audacity and sound advice.

This book consists of 15 unbound signatures in a laser-cut slipcase. Shuffling the sequence of the signatures will produce 15 different covers.

Customer Reviews:

Sagmeister Always Rocks

Like his first book, this one is filled with clever design details and insights into his process. Unlike the typical designer, Sagmeister speaks of his process in terms that more are akin to self-improvement and self-analysis and than technique, giving us plebians insight into how the master works. A must for any design oficionado.

2008-10-03

A lovely present

I'm sorry I've bought it for myself and opened - it would have been a nice present. As much as I like this work, it's nothing more but a good stylish present, it's not enriching in any way.

2008-09-06

Good Attempt...but left something to be desired

After attending his lecture on the same topic, this book left me with a somewhat dissatisfied feeling. I am very excited that Sagmeister, my all-time favorite designer, has attempted to say something worthwhile with the tools of the trade, but it seemed like nothing much was said. The design of the book was flawless, but didn't have the power of his book lecture. He was not "selling out" with this book, he was really trying to say something and this seems to be a good first try at doing something other than selling out, which is what we designers are famous for. Overall, it was average. Not bad, but not great. It left me wanting a little more meat with the sayings.

2008-08-31

Eh...Clever design as one would expect, but overall a bit of a dissheveled collection of pamphlets

Stefan Sagmeister is a legend of design and I actually have no regrets with the purchase, but I was disappointed when I received my pre-ordered copy. I opened the box with youthful enthusiasm, removed the outer cover and out spilled numerous booklets. It was not what I was expecting. It was immediately clear, however, that the booklets could be made to interact with the cover box and create a nice tabletop display. It is not a book in the traditional linear fashion, which should come as no surprise, however, it seems like it is trying to hard to be different. You can be the judge as to whether or not it succeeded. Designers will enjoy it and it is a pretty neat little book - it will look on your desk and cover swapping can give you something to do when you need a break.

2008-08-30

Great designs and interesting format

This isn't a book, but a series of mini books in a cool package.

Design - dozen or so mini books, the outside is cut to show the textures on the cover of each through the holes. Each one of the covers are really cool an visually interesting.

Books - The mini books each have a typographical experiment in them and usually a page or two, explaining the sentence his experiments make (sometimes more).

This is not a how to, a our company had this project, or philosophy of book (books?). It is what he did while he took a year off, and did whatever he wanted basically.

Cool for sure, I enjoyed it a lot.

2008-06-17

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