Sean Adams Interview

Sean Adams is a designer, writer, educator, and the national president of AIGA. AIGA ( American Institute of Graphic Arts ) is the largest communications design organization in the world. Founded in 1914 to celebrate and safeguard excellence in graphic design. The evolution of technologies has affected the way graphic designers work and they way graphic design is being taught. Instructors and students are now challenged to teach and learn all these new platforms: print design, web design, motion design, etc. into the regular four-year program. Technology has also affected the speed of production and expectation from clients. Designers are expected to produce great work in a frenzy , however, time is of the essence, and the more time a designer can spend with an idea, the more powerful result can be. According to Sean, there's two methods to forge great ideas. One, is to write things down and explore visual metaphors. Two, is to think of an absolute opposite element and combine it with the original and see what the mix of the two can yield. Sean believes that being a graphic designer has a lot to do with personality and a propensity to stylistically express any subject matter. When it comes to education, there are many paths to greatness. You can follow the conventional road and go to college or apply yourself and find your own way. There's not a set path. However, he recommends that education above all is important being in the college brings you networking opportunities. Having a sense and respect for the history of graphic design is also important. You learn the language of designers and can easily reference a work that can suit for a nice conversation or inspiration for you next project. It also gives you an awareness of where is graphic design today and where is it going.