Discussion Point 2 - Yuni

Select two innovative typographic designers one predigital (1984), the other contemporary. Provide a brief comparative analysis of their contributions to typographic practice supported by relevant examples of their work.

Milton Glaser (Click here for his portfolio)

 
Milton Glaser, born June 26, 1929 in New York City is a world class graphic designer. He's also the co-founder of Push Pin Studios and New York Magazine. He is also the current acting Chairman of the Board at the School of Visual Arts.

Undeniably, Milton Glaser's most famous work is the "I ♥ NY" logo. Since its creation in 1977, it has been copied, parodied, and recycled endlessly. It has appeared on everything from TV to oven mitts. But do not make any judgement yet. If you're not familiar with Glaser's body of work, a simple google search will tell you that he was named "Most Influential Graphic Designer of the Past 50 Years" by Graphic Design USA magazine, beating names like Paul Rand, Saul Bass, and Herb Lubalin. This is for a reason.

Although I don't want to focus too much on the "I ♥ NY" logo (I know people are sick of it..), I have to share this quote by Kate Carmody, a curatorial assistant at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): 

"Today we represent how we feel using emoticons and this was the very beginning of the shorthand that we use on computers. Moreover, because of the success of this design, typographers have had to add a heart to every typeface."

I personally think some of the most outstanding things in Glaser's works are his logotypes. They always looks so simple and clear, yet bold and delightful. Glaser also has produced a number of iconic posters, including the 1975 Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits posters he did for CBS Records. 

• • •

Jessica Walsh (Click here for her portfolio)

Jessica Walsh, born in 1987, is a graphic designer and partner at Sagmeister & Walsh in New York City, who also teached design and typography at the School of Visual Arts.

She taught herself how to code and create graphics for websites at the age of 11, and has been pursuing graphic design since. She attended Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she learned a different side of design. "RISD puts a lot of focus on working with your hands, which was a shock for me coming from a digital background where I was glued to my computer 24/7. I think this merging of craft with a digital background plays a big role in my work today."

Being a partner with Stefan Sagmeister, who is a legend in graphic design, definitely helps catapulted Walsh's career. But her works has always been impressive. Being as young as she is, Walsh has accomplished more than people twice her age. She is well known for her stunning experimental typography and driven visual imageries. Her works are both playful and striking, fun but ambitious.

 

(No, that is not digital. This poster is made of 4,209 bike chain links.)

I think Walsh takes tactile typography to the next level. It is very contrasting to Glaser, when you compare the two together. Glaser comes from a non-digital background (He once said he think computer diminishes people's creativity), yet his works certainly seem more 'flat', which I guess is also affected by the design trend at the time. And then we have Walsh who is young and has all the technology she needs, but she chooses to experiment with these huge sets and massive amounts of props and hours of shooting, just to get a few shots of images. Glaser's works are straight forward and direct, Walsh's are more playful, with a sense of humour.

I do feel like both designers use really bold colours. They are both very striking. Their works catch your attention, and more importantly, delivers the message.

References:

• Stooke, Alaistair. "Milton Glaser: his heart was in the right place" The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited, 7 Feb. 2011. Web. 21 May 2013.
• Bigman, Alex. "We ♥ Milton Glaser" 99designs. 99designs, 10 July 2012. Web. 21 May 2013.
• Jacobs, Pierre. "Milton Glaser: A Modern Renaissance Man" Argus Webzine. Northern Virginia Community College. Web. 21 May 2013. 
• http://www.miltonglaser.com/the-work/
• Essmaker, R., and Essmaker, T. "Jessica Walsh" The Great Discontent. The Great Discontent, 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 21 May 2013.
• Allsopp, Ashleigh. "Interview: Jessica Walsh discusses play, her favourite designs, future plans & that photo" Digital Arts. IDG, 9 May 2013. Web. 21 May 2013.
• http://www.behance.net/jessicawalsh