Stefan Sagmeister

Only when I was looking through his website did I realize he/his studio designed the "World Changing" book I listed below as one of my favorite book covers. His other work are also creative, original, and truly inspiring.

Watching and reading his design philosophy/ethics made me happy! As he mentioned in his lecture on "Design can make you happy," designing something ordinary but out of context (like the instruction panels in the subway cars) is just genius! He really had the guts to do it.
Using his own inspirational emotional feeling to use in his design is great too. Very original. I should follow him and write up a list of things I learned.
His use of typography is fun! I especially liked it when he showed "for" in cut up sausage-links, but using the shadow to form the words. The bubble speech sticker of the Korean designer is great! Easy way to engage interaction.

A good design helps a good cause; good design with bad cause/meaning is NOT good. In his article on Typotheque, he discusses the meaning of "How good is good?" It's, again inspiring (I'm sorry for overusing this word, but it really is...). After reading his article, it made me want to be a good designer who does good stuff for a good cause. Not just on a persoanl satisfaction, but doing something good for others. If I could be just like 1/10 of him, I'll be happy.

Here's the list of things design can do:
- Design can unify.
- Design can help us remember.
- Design can simplify our lives.
- Design can make someone feel better.
- Design can make the world a safer place.
- Design can help people rally behind a good cause.
- Design can inform and teach.
- Design can raise money.
- Design can make us more tolerant.

I have to disagree with him on one matter—Hong Kong is not a horrible place. Sagmeister made the place sound so bad. It is certainly different from the United States, but if he lives in New York, Hong Kong has the same feel to it too! Growing up in Hong Kong, I get to see the beauty that most tourist don't in one trip. It is a place that takes some time to get used to. And from a design viewpoint, Hong Kong is full of great design. With so much visual interaction, there's bound to be something good.
I miss Hong Kong... Maybe I'll go back this summer.