Where Do Great Designs Come From?
When you see a masterpiece by Leonardo Davinci or a pop art piece by Andy Warhol, or a lamp by Tiffany, do you ever wonder how the artist conceived and accomplished it? Maybe the idea emerged in a sudden creative vision out of the blue. Possible… but highly unlikely.
Creativity is born of inspiration rooted in experience and art school training. As the old saying goes: “Fortune favors the prepared mind”. The graphic arts are inspired in the same way. Today’s successful designers lean on their training and experience to translate inspiration into logos, package designs, brochures and advertising for their clients. Creativity is harnessed to a purpose – building businesses and growing brands.
“When a student asks me …Where do I get my ideas and Inspiration? I respond with “Study Great Design!”. If you wanted to be the greatest classical painter, you would study the works of Michelangelo’s, Rafael & Davinci wouldn’t you? So, the obvious self-assignment for young designers is to study great contemporary designers. How do I do this? I purchase and study the award winners in great design publications such as American Graphic Design & Advertising, Print Magazine, Communication Arts and other first-rate logo design books. The first step I take when given the task of designing a new logo for a new client is to first research what else has been done in that area or industry. This is easiest to first do with on line searches. I then fly through many design book pages to get ideas that I feel could work for my client then of course come up with my own original ideas. This may mean using a design element from one design then adding 2-3 of my own, making it my original design. Naturally this means not plagiarizing any other design but there is nothing wrong with getting ideas on how an eagle was stylized for one client than taking that idea and making it your own. Artists have been doing this for centuries
Ted DeCagna is a graphic designer with over 37 year’s experience in the field and 49 design awards. He credits his long history of success across a wide range of products and services to his education and experience. After graduating from Pratt Institute, one of the country’s top design colleges, Ted learned the distinctive skills of his profession at a series of notable design firms and ad agencies in the NY metro area. Top master New York typographic designers including Ray Barber and Tony DeSpina, giants in the industry who provided direct mentoring and influence for Ted’s unique proficiency in “Hand Lettering”. Those precious skills of this rare art form have helped Ted earn 29 logotype design awards (As of August 2022) largely credited to his unique custom typographic letter forms and unique symbol design skills. Ted broadened his view of typography by taking inspiration from other master designers and typographers including Herb Lubalin & Tom Carnese. If you want to study great logo designers, these four highly acclaimed designers are at the top of the list in Ted’s view.
Today, with decades of experience and his own well-established design firm, Ted puts his personal creative stamp on each logotype, brochure, package design or website he develops. He stays current with design trends and methods but relies on the strength of his solid education, experience, and creative point of view to help his clients showcase their products and services. Let Ted DeCagna help your business grow. Call him today to discuss your company or product needs:
908-272-6777.
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