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What's the Secret?

  • Writer: John Clarkson
    John Clarkson
  • Aug 1, 2020
  • 2 min read

Milton Glaser, one of the world's most honored graphic designers, recently passed away. His work includes the iconic Bob Dylan poster, the internationally recognized "I Love NY" campaign, the New York Magazine logo, the AIDS poster for the World Health Organization, the Brooklyn Brewery logo. It's a long list.

How was Milton Glaser able to come up with hundreds and hundreds of brilliant ideas, again and again over a career that spanned decades?

Glaser provided the answer in a poster he designed for his School of Visual Arts (SVA) Subway Series campaign titled "The Secret of Art".

Here’s the poster:


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Admittedly, the idea about persevering isn't a secret. We've heard variations of it for a long time. T.H. Palmer wrote the poem Try, Try Again in 1840. Glaser's rendition of it in 2008 is an ingenious, powerful expression of the idea, And yet, I'm not sure we really believe it. A lot of us still ask – What if I just don't have it in me?

Here’s the answer to that question. Also, from Milton Glaser, given in an interview shortly before his death.

“There’s an odd combination of intuition and intelligence that has to be mustered to do this work. The part that is logical is only half the job. The other half is truly intuitive and comes out of some part of the brain that you can’t control. It’s the reconciliation of those two aspects that make things happen. But since the brain is an instrument that holds everything in the universe, it’s there somewhere.” – Milton Glaser

Glaser is talking about the work of art, but I think this applies to everything we work at. Dealing with your kids, earning a living, getting from A to Z. The solution is in "there somewhere". Why? Because "the brain is an instrument that holds everything in the universe". That's the real secret. Believe it.

 
 
 

7 Comments


Emma Amelia
Emma Amelia
5 hours ago

Really thought-provoking! Unlocking the 'secret' often comes down to persistence and the right guidance. For students, having expert support can make all the difference—like using reliable PhD Research Paper Writing services to navigate complex topics efficiently.

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Robert William
Robert William
Sep 11

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Julia
Julia
Sep 09

Milton Glaser’s legacy is truly inspiring—his ability to create timeless work came from his deep understanding of simplicity, emotion, and meaning in design. The “Secret of Art” he shared through the SVA campaign is a reminder that creativity is not just about talent but about perspective and persistence. As a business plan writer, I find his philosophy especially powerful, because just like in design, crafting a successful business plan requires clarity, vision, and the ability to communicate ideas that resonate and last.

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Kim Jenni
Kim Jenni
Jul 18

I sincerely appreciate the clarity of your writing curve rush free game. As someone who often struggles to stay focused when reading longer articles, I was surprised by how easily I got through yours. You write in a way that invites the reader to keep going.

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Amanda Parsons
Amanda Parsons
Apr 17

Milton Glaser's legacy of iconic designs is truly inspiring. His ability to consistently generate brilliant ideas over such a long career is something many creatives aspire to. For those in the UK embarking on their postgraduate research, dissertation proposal writers in UK can offer expert guidance to help you articulate your innovative ideas and lay a strong foundation for your work.

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Halena Bob
Halena Bob
Jul 31
Replying to

Completely agreed-Milton Glasar's influence on the design world is remarkable and continues to inspire advertising globally. Their constant creativity reminds us of how powerful consistent views and dedications can occur. To start their educational journey for students in the UK, especially at the postgraduate level, nursing dissertation help UK can provide valuable help in designing the strong, well -structured dissertation proposals. With the right guidance, innovative ideas are very converted to effective research.

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