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Is Stefan Sagmeister the everlasting optimist? Sure. However he believes that optimism makes rational sense. Many issues in our present second want fixing. Sagmeister’s philosophy and the thesis of his new e-book Now Is Higher is that now we have a significantly better likelihood of fixing them from a headspace of progress and positivity than we do if we let ourselves succumb to doom and gloom.
The problem of our time: determining the best way to make constructive information attention-grabbing.
Stefan Sagmeister
On this dialog with Debbie Millman and Steven Heller, Sagmeister mentioned the inspiration behind his new e-book, Now Is Higher. It’s been generations within the making. The art work basis for the e-book’s knowledge visualizations got here from the leftovers of Sagmeister’s great-great grandparents’ vintage retailer, sourced in his dad and mom’ attic. That 18th- and Nineteenth-century work function the canvas for modern knowledge is a metaphorical and literal interpretation of his thesis. When Sagmeister compares his life to his great-great grandparents, the info comes alive in a private manner alongside the non-public historical past of his household.
For Sagmeister, Now Is Higher isn’t only a familial story. It’s a world story informed with chilly, complicated knowledge about enhancements within the lives of people over the previous 100 to 200 years. The artwork is there to offer a visible bridge. Individuals can recognize the portray for its aesthetics, however the knowledge story is included on the again if individuals are interested by it.
Regardless of knowledge telling us that issues are higher now than ever in human historical past, you could be skeptical, given the information cycle.
“If I’m in a superb temper, I’m extra helpful to my group.
Stefan Sagmeister
What’s the remedy for pessimism? You should override your amygdala, that a part of our mind wired to latch onto perceived threats and hold us secure. Looking for the constructive in an ocean of damaging is tough work. One in every of Sagmeister’s favourite spots on the web to ship his amygdala packing is David Byrne’s Instagram editorial challenge @reasonstobecheerful.
If we are able to let within the constructive, as designers and creatives, we’ll be capable to put all of our may into engaged on options for the urgent challenges of our day.
Listed here are ten causes for optimism from Now Is Higher.
Don’t personal a duplicate of Sagmeister’s e-book? You’ll be able to order one right here.
