Stefan Sagmeister
Designer · Mentor
In their own words
Oh, it’s as exactly as I imagined it.
Articles & interviews
- Doubt is normal, detours are expected: Unlearned shares the personal career reflections of top creatives
Readymag’s new digital editorial project, Unlearned, gathers 13 essays from leading creatives reflecting on what they had to unlearn after design school. Featuring voices like Liza Enebeis, Harriet Richardson, and Freddie Öst, the publication explores the uncertainties and growth that shape creative careers. The project aims to support young designers navigating post-graduation life through candid storytelling and shared experience.
- Design Matters with Santiago Carrasquilla
This episode of Design Matters, hosted by Debbie Millman, features Colombian-born designer and director Santiago Carrasquilla, founder of Art Camp. Carrasquilla discusses his global upbringing, creative evolution, and collaboration with Stefan Sagmeister on a large-scale mural made from 35,000 cigarette papers. The conversation explores his multidisciplinary approach blending illustration, animation, and technology to create emotionally resonant work.
- ® Digital Design Days Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Most Ambitious Edition Ever
Motionographer reports that Digital Design Days will celebrate its 10th anniversary in May 2026 with its most ambitious edition yet, featuring over 100 speakers, workshops, and immersive installations in Milan. Founded by Filippo Spiezia, the event has become a global hub for digital design, innovation, and AI-driven creativity. The 2026 edition will include partners like Figma and Canva and a special installation by Rare Volume.
- "Emmi Salonen's Book Tackles Preventing Creative Burnout"
The article profiles Finnish designer Emmi Salonen and her new book, The Creative Wellbeing Handbook, published by BIS Publishers. Drawing from her own experience with burnout, Salonen introduces a model that reframes creativity as an ecosystem requiring balance between input and output. The book compiles insights from over 100 creatives worldwide and offers tools for sustaining creative wellbeing.
- Filmmakers Document Sign Painter's Wisdom in Short Film
The article profiles filmmakers Santiago Carrasquilla and Danaé Gosset, who created a short documentary titled 'Luis Benz: Happiness is Achieved With Very Simple Things'. The film captures the life and philosophy of Argentine sign painter Luis Benz, emphasizing authenticity, simplicity, and human connection. The piece explores the creative process, challenges, and emotional journey behind the film’s eight-year completion.
- "Need for More Age Diversity in Creative Teams Highlighted"
Katie Cadwell’s column for If You Could Jobs explores the lack of age diversity in creative teams and the challenges faced by older professionals in the industry. She argues that experienced creatives bring invaluable insight and stability, and that the industry should better support and celebrate them. The piece highlights examples of senior designers still thriving and calls for more inclusive representation across creative workplaces.
- Claire Blyth Discusses Lasting Creative Reputation Beyond Social Media
Creative Boom’s article by Tom May recaps a talk by Claire Blyth, founder of Red Setter, on how creatives can build lasting reputations beyond social media. Blyth argues that media relations and genuine journalist relationships offer credibility and visibility that social platforms cannot. The session, chaired by Creative Boom editor Katy Cowan, shared practical advice on pitching, storytelling, and maintaining professional relationships.
- Elizabeth Goodspeed Discusses Designers Becoming Influencers
Elizabeth Goodspeed’s essay explores how designers have increasingly become public-facing influencers, blending their personal identities with their professional output. Tracing the shift from modernist anonymity to performative self-branding, she critiques how social media and visibility culture have turned design into a form of ongoing performance. The piece situates this trend within a historical lineage from figures like Sagmeister and Walsh to today’s content-driven creative economy.
- "Authored the Missing Book on Design History"
Creative Boom features Tom May’s new book, *The 50 Greatest Designers: The People Who Have Created Our Environment*, which explores 150 years of design history across disciplines and continents. The book aims to highlight overlooked figures, especially women and non-Western designers, and make design history accessible to a broad audience. Published by Arcturus Publishing, it combines engaging storytelling with rich visuals to inspire designers and readers alike.
- Following Obsessions Enhances Creativity, Study Finds
Written by Ellis Tree for It’s Nice That, this feature explores how creative obsessions can fuel artistic growth and innovation. Drawing on examples from Stefan Sagmeister, Liang-Jung Chen, Lexie Smith, and Thomas Thwaites, the article argues that fixations—whether on bread, hardware, or living as a goat—can lead to meaningful creative breakthroughs. Illustrated by Seb Agresti, it encourages readers to embrace their fascinations as a productive force in creative work.
- YEYE Design Studio: The Journey from &Walsh to Zayn Malik
The Brand Identity interviews Matthew Roop and Dylan Chan, founders of Singapore-based YEYE Design Studio, about their journey from working at &Walsh and in startups to running their own idea-led practice. The couple discuss their complementary roles, philosophy of designing from strong concepts, and the studio’s growth through projects like Mixoloshe, ZEBEDEE, and Dadpack. Their story highlights perseverance, collaboration, and a belief in emotionally driven design.
- New Brand Identity for .Oddity Frangrance by .Oddity Studio
BP&O’s feature on .Oddity Studio’s self-initiated project, .Oddity Fragrance, explores how the Hong Kong-based collective merges design and scent to create a multi-sensory brand experience. The project, developed with perfumer Mark Buxton, emphasizes craftsmanship, conceptual storytelling, and the intersection of art and design. The article positions the work as an experimental, poetic, and tactile exploration of inspiration and sensory perception.
- Artist Profiles Across Creative and Professional Fields
PRINT Magazine’s 'Artist' discipline page compiles a series of 'Design Matters' podcast episodes featuring artists and creative professionals across fields such as design, writing, and science. The page lists interviews with figures like Ai Weiwei, Es Devlin, Stefan Sagmeister, and Judy Chicago, highlighting their multidisciplinary practices. It serves as an index of creative voices rather than a single project feature.