Who is Stefan Sagmeister giving his book to this Christmas?
The designer and Phaidon author tells us his personal highs and lows of 2018 and who’ll be getting a great gift
If, by the end of 2018, the world is a little bit more beautiful, we should thank Stefan Sagmeister. The Austrian-born, US-based, graphic designer and author has spent much of this year calling for the greater prioritisation of beauty within our lives.
His book, Beauty, co-authored with business partner Jessica Walsh, looks closely at both the history of beauty, and its scientific, empirical qualities, to see if we can find ways to create a space for it again in our lives.
Read on to discover whether he feels like he has succeeded, what little bits of beauty he plans to create in 2019, and who he wants to give a copy of his Phaidon book to this Christmas.
What inspired you most this year? Most inspirational was working with so many people inside and outside of the studio on the exhibition and the book on Beauty. It seemed like the thing we should be working on.
What annoyed you most? Not very original in its answer, I'd say it was our president.
What was your personal highlight? The opening of the exhibit on Beauty at the MAK in Vienna. To see it all come to life and light after two years of proper work was a very satisfying experience.
What can we expect from you in 2019? No big project, possibly just small, tiny things. Pencil drawings on A4 writing paper would qualify.
Who will you give your Phaidon book to for Xmas? Our book on Beauty will be given to all my brothers and all my sisters and all my friends. Because it is pretty.
For more on Sagmeister and his beautiful and very clever reasoning, buy a copy of Sagmeister & Walsh: Beauty here.