Name: Great design is serious, not solemn
Uploaded: 2009-01-16T01:00:00Z
Duration: 21 min 34 s
Description: Paula Scher looks back at a life in design (she's done album covers, books, the Citibank logo ...) and pinpoints the moment when she started really having fun. Look for gorgeous designs and images from her legendary career.

Paula Scher: Great design is serious, not solemn

Great design is serious, not solemn

Paula Scher looks back at a life in design (she's done album covers, books, the Citibank logo ...) and pinpoints the moment when she started really having fun. Look for gorgeous designs and images from her legendary career.

Great design happens when work becomes play, blending childlike curiosity with bold risk-taking. The most inventive moments often arise from ignorance, arrogance, or sheer impulse, not from following safe rules. An early passion for breaking away from the Helvetica typeface led to collaborations that transformed public spaces and iconic brands. Over time, popular success can turn creative play into stifling routine, so true growth means constantly seeking new ways to be unqualified and willing to fail.