The projects in this book began as a list Stefan Sagmeister found in his diary under the title 'Things I have learned in my life so far'. Given an incredible amount of freedom by some of his clients, he began transforming these 21 aphorisms into typographic works; they have since appeared as French and Portuguese billboards, a Japanese annual report, on German television, in an Austrian magazine, as a New York direct mailer and as an American poster campaign. Taken together, the collection is part design project, part work of art, part examination of the pursuit of happiness. To this end, noted designer Steven Heller, art critic and curator Nancy Spector and psychologist and "Happiness: The Science Behind Your Smile" author Daniel Nettle will contribute essays to the book.

About the Author

Stefan Sagmeister is among today's most important graphic designers. Since 1993 Sagmeister Inc. has focused on all things printed, including posters, brochures, books and graphics and packaging for music clients. His work has won nearly all the international design awards available. Born in Austria, he now lives and works in New York Daniel Nettle is the author of Happiness: The Science Behind Your Smile. He lives in the UK. Steven Heller has written over 70 books on graphic design, illustration and political art. The recipient of the 1999 AIGA Medal for Lifetime Achievement, he lives in the USA. Nancy Spector has contributed essays to numerous books on contemporary artists, including Maurizio Cattelan, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Anna Gaskell.