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E71: Designing a Life That Works: Beauty, Sabbaticals & Meaning with Stefan Sagmeister
What does it really take to do meaningful work over a lifetime?
In this episode of Perception Paradox, iconic designer Stefan Sagmeister shares his deep reflections on creativity, beauty, and the intentional choices that shape both our work and our lives.
We unpack:
- Why intentional time off is essential for innovation
- The power of beauty in design — and in life
- How long-term thinking leads to more human-centred creativity
- And how to navigate self-doubt, evolving technology, and imposter syndrome in a distracted world
This isn’t just a conversation about design — it’s about how we live, reflect, and reimagine what success looks and feels like.
🎧 Tune in to discover how pausing with purpose can reshape your path — and what Stefan has learned about finding joy and meaning across decades of creative impact.
About Stefan Sagmeister:Stefan Sagmeister has designed for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, HBO, and the Guggenheim Museum. He’s a two time Grammies winner and also earned practically every important international design award.
Stefan talks about the large subjects of our lives like happiness or beauty, how they connect to design and what that actually means to our everyday lives. He spoke 5 times at the official TED, making him one of the three most frequently invited TED speakers.
His books sell in the hundreds of thousands and his exhibitions have been mounted in museums around the world. His exhibit ’The Happy Show' attracted way over half a million visitors worldwide and became the most visited graphic design show in history.
A native of Austria, he received his MFA from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and, as a Fulbright Scholar, a master’s degree from Pratt Institute in New York.
Learn more: https://sagmeister.com
🎙️ Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:29 Exploring the Sabattical Experience
04:15 Cultural Influences and Artistic Exchange
07:21 The Evolution of Sabbaticals
10:13 Overcoming Fears and Embracing Change
13:22 The Impact of Sabbaticals on Creativity
16:08 Long-Term Thinking in Design
19:03 The Role of Beauty in Design
22:24 Navigating the Design Landscape
25:03 The Future of Design in a Digital Age
42:06 The Impact of AI on Design and Professions
49:32 Historical Perspectives on Progress and Human Development
55:51 Designing for Emotions: A Positive Approach
58:36 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Creative Fields
01:08:29 The Journey of Happiness: Insights from a Film Project
01:16:12 Defining Good Design: Helping and Delighting Others
View all episodes
By Zivile EinikyteWhat does it really take to do meaningful work over a lifetime?
In this episode of Perception Paradox, iconic designer Stefan Sagmeister shares his deep reflections on creativity, beauty, and the intentional choices that shape both our work and our lives.
We unpack:
- Why intentional time off is essential for innovation
- The power of beauty in design — and in life
- How long-term thinking leads to more human-centred creativity
- And how to navigate self-doubt, evolving technology, and imposter syndrome in a distracted world
This isn’t just a conversation about design — it’s about how we live, reflect, and reimagine what success looks and feels like.
🎧 Tune in to discover how pausing with purpose can reshape your path — and what Stefan has learned about finding joy and meaning across decades of creative impact.
About Stefan Sagmeister:Stefan Sagmeister has designed for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, HBO, and the Guggenheim Museum. He’s a two time Grammies winner and also earned practically every important international design award.
Stefan talks about the large subjects of our lives like happiness or beauty, how they connect to design and what that actually means to our everyday lives. He spoke 5 times at the official TED, making him one of the three most frequently invited TED speakers.
His books sell in the hundreds of thousands and his exhibitions have been mounted in museums around the world. His exhibit ’The Happy Show' attracted way over half a million visitors worldwide and became the most visited graphic design show in history.
A native of Austria, he received his MFA from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and, as a Fulbright Scholar, a master’s degree from Pratt Institute in New York.
Learn more: https://sagmeister.com
🎙️ Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:29 Exploring the Sabattical Experience
04:15 Cultural Influences and Artistic Exchange
07:21 The Evolution of Sabbaticals
10:13 Overcoming Fears and Embracing Change
13:22 The Impact of Sabbaticals on Creativity
16:08 Long-Term Thinking in Design
19:03 The Role of Beauty in Design
22:24 Navigating the Design Landscape
25:03 The Future of Design in a Digital Age
42:06 The Impact of AI on Design and Professions
49:32 Historical Perspectives on Progress and Human Development
55:51 Designing for Emotions: A Positive Approach
58:36 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Creative Fields
01:08:29 The Journey of Happiness: Insights from a Film Project
01:16:12 Defining Good Design: Helping and Delighting Others