Stefan Sagmeister: Happiness by design

A Journey Through Superstition and Design

Introduction to Superstitions

• The speaker shares a personal anecdote from 15 years ago about visiting Hong Kong, highlighting their superstitious mindset upon arrival.

• They believed that seeing something positive would lead to a great experience, while anything negative would result in misery during their two-week stay.

Unexpected Opportunities

• After landing, the speaker received a job offer from design companies in Hong Kong, which was unexpected given their initial superstitions.

• Upon returning to Hong Kong for work, they again checked for signs of good fortune through the presence of a "Winner" billboard.

Reflections on Happiness and Design

• The speaker reflects on moments of happiness in life, particularly those related to design. They compiled a list but chose not to share it in detail.

• Surprisingly, over half of these happy moments were linked to design experiences from both consumer and designer perspectives.

Personal Experiences with Design

• A nostalgic moment is shared involving the first Walkman and riding a motorcycle while listening to music, illustrating how design can evoke happiness.

• The speaker contrasts consumer happiness with designer satisfaction by referencing the expressions seen in authors' photos on monographs.

Insights from an Art Exhibit

• The Mori Museum's exhibit titled "Happiness" is discussed; it was divided into four sections: Arcadia, Nirvana, Desire, and Harmony.

• Most pieces showcased visualizations of happiness rather than authentic representations of it. This left the speaker feeling somewhat cheated by the superficiality of these interpretations.

Critique of Visualizing Happiness

• The ease of visualizing happiness is critiqued; examples include designs that depict happy versus aggressive imagery without depth or authenticity.

• In advertising and film industries, portraying genuine happiness has become challenging due to its clichéd representation; thus requiring a more cynical approach for authenticity.

Engaging Designs That Evoke Happiness

• The speaker highlights three designs that successfully evoke feelings of happiness rather than merely visualize them.

Humor and Art: A Unique Perspective

The Role of Humor in Humanitarian Efforts

• The speaker shares a humorous anecdote about a friend, True, who created fake volunteer cards to prevent his friends from being arrested, showcasing the intersection of art and social activism.

Experiencing Art in New York

• Description of James Turrell's sculpture at P.S. 1, which features a retractable ceiling that opens at dusk and dawn, allowing visitors to experience subtle color changes in the sky.

Transformative Experiences Through Art

• The impact of immersive art experiences on personal perception; after spending time in Turrell's installation, the speaker notes a changed perspective on observing the sky.

Community Engagement through Interactive Projects

• Introduction of a project by a young designer who distributes empty speech bubble stickers around New York for public interaction; this encourages community expression while enhancing public spaces.

Reflections on Personal Design Preferences

• The speaker contemplates their design preferences, emphasizing the importance of working without pressure and immersing oneself fully in creative processes.

Learning from Life Experiences

• Discussion about creating designs based on personal life lessons; an Austrian magazine commissioned spreads that reflect insights like "Everything I do always comes back to me."

Creative Collaborations and Billboards