Last Friday, on his 91st birthday, a giant—maybe the last—in graphic design, passed away.
Milton Glaser was a respected, admired, celebrated and beloved graphic designer known the world over as best-in-class. He was a design luminary, a friend, a thought-leader, a teacher, a trailblazer and a kind and generous mentor to many, myself included.
You may know him from his legendary ‘I love NY’ logo; many may also remember his universally-recognized 1966 poster of Bob Dylan that was packaged with Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits album, and hung in many homes, dorm rooms and lockers.
Milton has a long and impressive list of achievements—too many mention—but you can read them in this distinguished bio here. His impact on our profession is indisputable; it’s etched in our culture and history. You cannot discuss graphic design without mentioning Milton Glaser.
In the summer of 2005, I was lucky enough to be selected as one of 23 students from hundreds of hopeful designers around the world to attend his coveted intensive course at the School of Visual Art. When I heard about the opportunity, I immediately jumped at the chance to apply—even just after having my son and wondering if I could make it work—and yes, I was selected and yes, I made it work. It was one of the best impulses of my life.
Milton’s class quite literally changed the direction of my life and how I approach design. In the time spent with him in the classroom, we got to know the man behind the work, behind his fame (Milton would say “What is fame? I don’t know what that means.” if you told him he was famous), and he allowed us insight into how his mind—and our minds—worked. His designs are thought-provoking. They make you pause. They are smart. They are beautiful. They challenge you to engage, to look more closely, to reflect. They stay with you. Why? Because they make you think! And this makes them not only memorable, but often unforgettable. And what I took away was to aim that high with everything I create.
Milton’s definition of what graphic design should do is the best I’ve ever heard: to inform and delight. I reflect on it daily and have adopted it as my own; it’s a mantra that I’ve shared with my team and we live it and breathe it daily.
There is much “Milton” in how I approach my work and life. Other than my own parents, no person has had such a life-changing, lasting impact on me. There was my life before my meeting him, and my life after meeting him. And my life after—as a designer but also as a person—is far better. It is more enlightened with a greater sense of purpose and clear direction. I will miss him dearly, but he lives on in the work of the countless designers he influenced, and I am honored to be one of them.
— Amy
