DesignThinkers Podcast Paula Scher
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Apr 29, 2024 In this captivating conversation, Paula Scher, a celebrated graphic designer and Pentagram partner, shares her remarkable journey in the world of design. She reflects on her early artistic aspirations, the role of luck in her success, and the evolution of design careers. Scher discusses navigating challenges in the male-dominated industry and the impact of age on creativity. Her passion for large-scale maps and tackling complex government projects showcases her innovative approach, blending artistry with practicality in design.
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Early New York Years That Sparked A Career
- Paula moved to New York in 1970 and learned design hands-on at Random House and Columbia Records before becoming known for album covers.
- A lost children's book led to a collaboration that produced The Brownstone, which remains in U.S. libraries and jumpstarted her career.
Use Corporate Deadlines To Protect Creative Work
- Learn to manage corporate hierarchies by timing work to decision cycles; Paula discovered starting design later in the week avoided over-editing.
- At Columbia Records she waited until deadlines to finalize layouts, producing stronger work because reviewers ran out of time.
How Timing And Chance Shaped Her Visual Language
- Paula attributes much of her career progress to happenstance and the era before 'graphic designer' was widely understood.
- She shifted from illustration to bold typographic work on album covers as a response to crediting and changing conditions.