Michael Bierut at 2015 AIGA Design Conference: What I've Learned

Watch 2006 AIGA Medalist and Pentagram partner MICHAEL BIERUT's mainstage presentation "What I've Learned" at the 2015 AIGA Design Conference in New Orleans.
1998-2001 AIGA national board of directors president and Design Observer cofounder Michael Bierut imparts lessons learned throughout four decades practicing graphic design. Plus, watch Michael chat with Conference moderator and podcast star Roman Mars (99% Invisible).

[@jhartdesign]

This is what graphic designers do when they are in love with their work and are generous beyond belief. Michael Bierut is the man who made me think more clearly at the most critical moment. Thank you.

[@chris21taylor]

I found this a few days ago preparing myself for a mini presentation. This video has been very insightful for me. Thanks.

[@curtispotvin]

Time stamps: 1:38 Not everyone knows how to draw 2:18 There’s magic everywhere 3:25 Art can raise your grade 4:13 Design is art that can go anywhere 5:17 A book can change your life 6:33 The only way to get better at something is to do it badly first 7:15 HiJack your mentors 9:29 If you design something bad, it doesn’t matter if it was on time and under budget (or the only way to do good work is to do good work) 10:42 Typefaces and PMS colors are not ideas - ideas are the most important thing 13:41 You don’t die because the car won’t start, you die because the brakes fail 14:09 If you don’t love your partners, you’ve got the wrong partners 15:31 You find out more by listening than by talking 16:32 Graphic design is a license to trespass 17:35 You design best when you’re interested in the subject matter. So try to be interested in as many things as possible 18:51 There are no small jobs 20:22 Knowing how to write and read is just as important as knowing how to draw 23:57 If we want people to talk about what we do, we can’t complain if we don’t like what they’re saying 25:14 It’s not a diving competition, it’s a swimming competition 25:51 Ancora imparo (I’m still learning) - Michaelangelo

[@mariambergamini]

thank you!

[@arboriavisualdesign3789]

I love the progression of this presentation.

[@carlossimpson]

Great Talk... Many thanks.

[@ThuNguyen-pi4ml]

The drawings are fantastic.

[@mitchellgillies3439]

Really love that his pocket square is the same as the cover of his favoured notepads.

[@PhillipClayton]

So great. Cheers!

[@arikasowitz]

13:40 "...you die because the breaks fail." Typo or profound pun? You decide.

[@billbobert]

he spitting facts with the listen to others one

[@Paul-nh4tk]

The intro music to this is just sublime. Can we get the name? Loved the talk too! Thanks.

[@AIGAdesign]

Hi Paul, the music was commissioned for our Design Conference and was composed by Joe Johnson and Linton Smith.

[@Paul-nh4tk]

AIGAdesign I was afraid you'd say that....it's absolutely great, thanks for getting back to me...keep up the good work!

[@tynancollins2736]

Thankyou.

[@tmmrc]

Why hasn't this way more views?

[@robschilke]

Can we create a visibility/marketing campaign for the profession of graphic design for K-12? I hypothesize we can establish deeper rooted connections to the profession earlier in life, we can create a stronger following for the profession and later as members.

[@hyacinthdibley2420]

1:52 I thought it was a painting of the ocean with a bush..or something on the left, the sunrise or sunset reflecting on the water in the center, and a dock on the right. ...I was wrong. Lol

[@lloydpaoloprudente9474]

Reading his book "How to", found this clip, he is just saying what's on the book lol... His book is amazing btw

[@androandro7179]

[@ekirkdesign]

*brakes