Stefan Sagmeister is an Austrian graphic designer based in New York, best known for his independent studio practice, his co-founding of Sagmeister & Walsh, and his deeply personal approach to visual communication. In this exclusive in-person Twos Talks interview, he talks about his career, his philosophy of responsibility, and why he believes graphic designers should open their own studios.
In this episode, Stefan talks about:
• Why he makes time to connect with young designers
• His view on Istanbul 
• Learning what not to do while working sixteen-hour days at a major ad agency in Hong Kong
• Becoming a creative director early in his career
• Collaborating with Tibor Kalman at M & Co.
• Why graphic design is one of the easiest businesses to run
• What kind of designers and artists he would hire in his studio
• Who the best design students really are
• Why graphic designers should open their own studios
• The story behind his iconic AIGA poster made with his own body
• Physically engaging himself in his design work
• How to truly own a design even when working with clients
• Why handmade design can still be the best choice
• His favorite graphic designer
• And his famous one-year sabbatical ritual every seven years
Timecodes
00:00 Intro
00:20 Stefan Sagmeister
01:28 Istanbul
03:07 Helping young designers
07:30 Working in an ad agency
11:14 Working with Tibor Kalman
13:00 Opening your own studio
14:45 A design studio today
19:40 Which designers to hire?
23:55 AIGA Poster
27:20 A human & personal design
32:59 ad break
34:10 Art for people vs for galleries
40:22 Happy project
43:05 Trying different disciplines
45:20 Sabbaticals
53:45 Stefan's favorite designers & artists

📸 Stefan Sagmeister Portrait by: John Madere & Marco Scozzaro
🎨 Design and artwork courtesy of Stefan Sagmeister Inc (https://sagmeister.com/)
Intro animation by: Miray Erdeve
Camera: Yasin Yavuz

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