We’re in a very designer-y type of mood today. It’s been awhile since we took some time to slow down and appreciate the history of graphic design, but with the current re-emergence of 1950’s and 60’s aesthetics in popular culture (think the female-oriented Pan Am, and male-dominated Mad Men here), we recently took some time to reflect on the times that bore out these ideas (and slightly misplaced nostalgia).

Graphic design is a balance of many things, but there is one consistency we’ve found over our careers. It is most often misunderstood. For starters, the job description has changed dramatically even since we began studying 10 years ago, making it increasingly hard to describe to clients and peers alike (not to mention family + friends). On a larger scale, however, it seems that being a designer of any sort has long carried with it an aura of mystique, often perpetuated by designers unwilling to share (and once again, pop culture shows like Mad Men). In fact, at times we’re guilty ourselves. The use of social media, however, has begun to break down many of those barriers, and we’re happy to say that as we continue our journey as designers, we’ve found the more you are willing to share, the more everyone involved can benefit. So, we want to share two great pieces of inspiration we are eagerly looking forward to ourselves. Eames: The Architect and the Painter and Saul Bass: A Life in Film and Design.

It’s been a few years since we ourselves have immersed ourselves in the study of design, but every once in awhile we’re reminded that there is still an infinite amount to learn. So for anyone without a degree or diploma in graphic design who is looking to be inspired or gain a little knowledge, you’ll be sure to find enjoyment and benefit from researching these giants. In fact, it will probably pleasantly surprise you with how familiar you are with some of their more famous works, including Eames furniture, and a number of Saul Bass-designed title sequences (sure to keep you entertained). Good luck, and we hope you find their lifelong pursuit of design as inspiring as we do.