Milton Glaser "The Good is the enemy of the Great"

The Good is the Enemy of the Great

            Even the most recognizable icons, which have made permanent imprints on the hearts of Americans, always seems to go without recognition to their creator. However, the infamous “I love New York” logo as well as some of the most famous posters during the Obama campaign, have one of the worlds most renowned creators: Milton Glaser. A graphic artist who has been names “the Picasso of the graphic arts field”, and abides by the motto, “if you have a chance never have a job”. Milton Glaser has created some of the most individualized work throughout the decades, and remains the face of graphic art.

            Born in 1929 in New York City, Glaser was no stranger to the arts. He attended the high school of Music and Art in his early years. Later on, with the help of a Fulbright scholarship, Glaser attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, Italy and worked with Giorgio Morandi during that time. His immense creativity vibrantly floods the pages of his vast works in design. He is a common day Renaissance man by his unique style and broad areas of work including newspapers, magazine and book designs, posters, toys, corporate identity logos, packaging campaigns, and CD covers.  Most of his popular work however, resides in poster design, including the popular Bob Dylan poster with the brilliant streams of color. He has also done famous work with packaging design for Brooklyn Brewing Co., as well as Time Magazine.

            Along with his many famous icons and clients, Glaser has many other outstanding accomplishments including becoming the co-founder of Pushpin studios in 1954 and founder of New York Magazine in 1968 followed by WBMG publication design firm in 1983.  Some of his work is more than iconic, it hits home and becomes more heart felt, such as his designs for the logos of many restaurants in the World Trade Center. His vast experience over the decades has mounted him on the top of the most admirable graphic designers in the world. Glaser even was presented the Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama. The Medal of Arts is an immeasurable honor, but what’s more is Glaser was the 1972 recipient of the AIGA medal which is the highest honor given to a graphic designer in this country. He also is the only artist to have 1 man shows at both the Centre Gorges Pompidou in Paris and Museum of Modern Art in New York.

            Milton Glaser has run his own corporation since 1974, Milton Glaser inc. and is surrounded by a lifetime of accomplishments and immense pride. He once said, “how you live changes your brain”, and he has made a life out of his work. His pride will remain infinite, and his many works and books will subside as timeless pieces from one of the greatest graphic inspirations to all artists and designers worldwide.

Milton Glaser "The Good is the enemy of the Great"

I am doing my book project on the graphic artist Milton Glaser

"The Good is the enemy of the Great"

"Less is not Necessarily more"

"How you live changes your brain"

"If you have a choice never have a job"

Milton is one of the worlds most renowned and celebrated graphic artists. He has done posters for Obama's campaign, created the infamous "I love New York" logo, Bob Dylan posters, and many posters for the School of Visual Arts. Milton attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Italy under instructor Giorgio Morandi. He is considered a modern Renaissance Man and works with posters, logos, books, magazines etc. He is the co-founder of the New York Magazine as well as WBMG publication design firm. Glaser even did iconic logos for some restaurants in the World Trade Center, and has permanent exhibits in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Glaser's work shows his immensely creative mind, and presents his style of individualistic work. He opened his own corporation, Milton Glaser inc. in 1974 and still produces work to this day.

Box!

Finished Vessel

Suitcase Box

Nature and Aesthetics

This reading was very interesting because it talked about materials we use in construction everyday in their simplest form. I think it was relevant to our next project (constructing a vessel) because it talked about the different techniques in construction, such as how we transform material. Although our project only deals with adhesive and different types of wood construction, it was interesting to learn other techniques of transforming with other materials such as soldering with metals to form them together and heating glass. I also liked how this reading talked about how all of us have different interpretations of construction, and what it means which i think fits well with this project because everyones project will be their own and have meaning no matter what means of construction they choose. Technique is highly addressed in this reading and I see the importance of it with craftsmanship and creating a piece that works, however i think that technique and design have to be tackled separately to reach a nice aesthetic appeal as well as excellent technique with material.  Limitations in projects in BDS are a huge part of our creativity aspects, and this reading addresses limitations in which we can all relate to. Many times we will have limited materials or one certain material, or limited with the construction process, with that said we have to be creative and work with these limitations to the best of our abilities to create the best piece possible. In each project in BDS we are faced with limitations, therefore we are forced to work around them and learn how to fit clients needs with either what we have or with what they want. I found this essay extremely relatable to how we work and what it means to construct with a good technique and limitations.

Creating a Vessel

     My ideas derived from a pair of heart shaped pearl earrings my great grandmother gave me before she passed away just this last October. They were given to her from her Grandmother, so they hold a special place in my heart because me and " Grandma Arlene" were very close. My most fond memories of her are taking road trips to her lake house cabin which my grandpa (her son) and her husband (my great grandpa) built decades ago. This place hold my most loved memories of family as a kid, it was a get away full of laughter and playing and fun, and being a kid i had no worries in the world. I loved packing up my belongings for the summer and driving down to our lake house with grandma, and i remember distinctly how often she would sit on the porch swing and sew. She tried to teach me a few times but i was too young to get the hang of it. All of these memories bring me back to the pair of earrings she gave to me before she pasted and I want to create a vessel out of wood that ties all of these elements of my grandma together. I want to make a suitcase box to resemble our trips to the lake house, and create a rustic antique look to it. I also want to include some of her fabric for the liner of the suitcase to resemble her most profound hobby. Lastly i want to include old photos on the front and sides of the suitcase to give it an antique look as if they were destination stickers. I will continue to develop my ideas as i practice with the bandsaw.

Perspective Room

final chair

ideas, construction, and process...