Steven Heller
Designer · Host · Other
In their own words
Instead of whipping out my smartphone on the subway to pass idle time looking at Reels and Stories, I choose instead this delightful book.
He preferred instead to create a fresh idea designed specifically for the poster.
To him, the poster was a happy medium for injecting his personal handlettering and typography.
The first lunar fly-around mission in more than 50 years has given me the same feeling of excitement and hope I had when the Mercury program sent single-manned capsules into space for the first time ever.
This NASA swag is not a monument to design but it is a record of when heroics were valued and leaders were respected because they were heroes.
You’ve heard the prediction that “print is dead” for too many decades.
These days, AI is being discussed as the latest murderer of it all.
What makes mini-food so appetizing is not simply the incredible craftsperson’s attention to perfect detail—though that’s a much appreciated touch.
I am the modern Gulliver and these Lilliputian things are in my service—and beck and call.
Making such a striking book out of monotonous everyday things is not as easy as it looks. It takes an eye.
Articles & interviews
- Fabulatorio Publishes First Book on Luis Seoane
Steven Heller’s Daily Heller column spotlights Fabulatorio’s new book, 'ABC Seoane', dedicated to the Galician designer Luis Seoane. The publication, co-published with the Luis Seoane Foundation, aims to introduce Seoane’s graphic and design legacy to new generations through an alphabet book format. The project celebrates Seoane’s influence on Galician visual culture and his multidisciplinary contributions to art and design.
- Allen Ginsberg in Your Pocket
Steven Heller’s Daily Heller column spotlights isolarri’s pocket-sized book series, particularly the new release AH!MERICA, adapted from Allen Ginsberg’s lectures on William Blake. The article praises the publisher’s sustainable, whimsical approach to print and the tactile pleasure of reading a miniature book in a digital age.
- Trump’s AI Savior Image Sparks Backlash
Steven Heller’s Daily Heller column critiques an AI-generated image posted by Donald Trump depicting himself as a savior figure. The article highlights the backlash and ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated political imagery and the potential dangers of unregulated AI use by public figures.
- Matt Lamont Builds a Growing Design History Archive
Steven Heller interviews Matt Lamont about the growth of his Design Reviewed archive, a vast collection of graphic design magazines, posters, and ephemera. Lamont discusses his mission to make design history more accessible and inclusive, the expansion of his holdings, and his upcoming book with Unit Editions. The piece highlights his process of scanning, cataloguing, and sharing materials online for public and academic use.
- Why This Typeface Looks Familiar: It’s a Kuhlman Revival
Steven Heller’s Daily Heller column spotlights the revival of Roy Kuhlman’s distinctive hand-lettered style through a new typeface designed by Steven Brower, Craig Welsh, and David Jonathan Ross. The Kuhlman font, released through Ross’s Font of the Month Club, has already been adopted by major brands and cultural institutions. The article explores the typeface’s origins, aesthetic influences, and its unexpected popularity among contemporary designers.
- Michael DeForge on Comics, Satire, and Human Stakes
Steven Heller interviews comic artist Michael DeForge about his new book 'All the Cameras in My Room,' published by Drawn & Quarterly. DeForge discusses his approach to satire, emotional storytelling, and the use of multiple visual styles to explore themes of technology, grief, and identity. The conversation highlights his influences and creative process behind several stories in the collection.
- Brad Holland’s Secret Passion: Poster Design
Steven Heller reflects on illustrator Brad Holland’s lesser-known passion for poster design, revealing a large body of work discovered after Holland’s death. The article discusses Holland’s approach to creating original posters, his typographic sensibility, and plans for a posthumous exhibition curated with the help of his former assistant, Jonathan Twingley.
- How to Run a Graphic Design Studio Successfully
Steven Heller interviews Houston-based designer Jennifer Blanco of Field of Study about her self-published book 'How Not To Run a Graphic Design Studio & Other Hard Lessons.' The conversation explores the realities of running a small design business, balancing creativity with sustainability, and the design philosophy behind the book’s approachable yet rigorous visual style. Blanco reflects on lessons learned from experience and the importance of authenticity and continual learning in studio practice.
- Peanuts Symphony Debuts, Celebrating Vince Guaraldi’s Timeless Music
Steven Heller reports on the debut of the Peanuts Symphony, a new concert experience performed by the Seattle Symphony and produced by Gershwin Entertainment Corp. The event celebrates Vince Guaraldi’s music and marks key anniversaries for both his career and the Peanuts television specials. The production features original animated backdrops from classic Peanuts episodes.
- The Daily Heller: Space Inspires Hope Again
Steven Heller reflects on the renewed excitement surrounding NASA’s Artemis II mission and his lifelong fascination with space exploration memorabilia. He recalls his youth collecting NASA ephemera and praises the design legacy of the agency’s visual identity, particularly the worm logo by Danne and Blackburn. The piece connects nostalgia for mid-century space design with optimism for the future of exploration.
- Print Is Dead Again: AI Joins Design’s Doom Chorus
In this short Daily Heller column, Steven Heller reflects on the recurring claim that 'print is dead' and the new wave of anxiety surrounding AI’s impact on design. He argues that while technological and economic shifts are real, the doomsday narrative about design’s demise is overstated. The piece revisits an older essay of his to question whether such fears remain relevant today.
- Ghostly International Marks 25 Years with Definitive Catalog
Steven Heller’s Daily Heller column spotlights Ghostly International’s 25th anniversary book, designed by James Goggin of Practise. The 488-page volume, published by Hat and Beard Press, chronicles the label’s visual and musical history through essays, interviews, and archival artwork. Goggin discusses his design process, balancing clean structure with the label’s eclectic visual identity.
- Why Japanese Miniature Food Looks So Appetizing
In this Daily Heller column, Steven Heller reflects on the enduring appeal of Japanese miniature food models, praising their meticulous craftsmanship and cultural authenticity. He describes his personal fascination with collecting these tiny plastic meals, viewing them as exercises in design appreciation rather than toys. The piece blends humor, nostalgia, and design critique to explore why such small-scale creations remain so visually satisfying.
- Elizabeth Goodspeed on why design writing needs designers writing
In this opinion piece, designer and writer Elizabeth Goodspeed argues that design writing benefits when designers themselves take part in it. She explores how writing helps designers articulate their thinking, connect their creative and analytical practices, and make design discourse more reflective and nuanced. The article highlights examples like Ray Masaki, Michael Bierut, and Steven Heller to illustrate how writing and design can inform each other.
- George Lois’ Shocking Vietnam Cover Still Hits Hard
Steven Heller revisits George Lois’s 1965 Esquire cover for John Sack’s Vietnam War story, a typographic design that shocked readers with its stark message and minimalist power. The article reflects on how the once-provocative image has lost some of its impact in a world desensitized to wartime atrocities.
- Immigrant Fear Takes Center Stage in Powerful New Comic Series
Steven Heller interviews illustrator Michael Sloan about 'Separation,' a new comic series in The New York Times created with journalist Jake Halpern. The series follows a Honduran family navigating fear and uncertainty amid U.S. immigration enforcement. Sloan discusses the emotional weight of the project, its journalistic rigor, and its potential to foster empathy and awareness.
- Nature Inspires Design in Eric Himmel’s Biodiversity Book
Steven Heller interviews Eric Himmel about his new book 'The Art of Biodiversity,' published by Abrams. The book explores the intersection of art and science through 18th- and 19th-century natural history illustrations, highlighting artists like Ernst Haeckel. Himmel discusses his process of researching, writing, and designing the book himself, emphasizing the enduring beauty and influence of biodiversity art.
- Baby’s First Instagram Photos
Steven Heller reflects on the evolution of children's photography and the influence of social media on visual culture. Drawing connections between a 1930s photography book and today’s smartphone imagery, he muses on how new mediums reshape our ways of seeing. The piece also references Leonard Marcus’s exhibition at The Eric Carle Museum exploring photographic children’s books.
- Civilization #7 Expands Its Experimental Newsprint and AI Approach
Steven Heller’s article highlights the release of Civilization #7, the latest edition of the experimental broadsheet newspaper founded by Richard Turley, Lucas Mascatello, and Mia Kerin. The publication continues its exploration of language and AI-generated content, maintaining its distinctive black-and-yellow, text-heavy design. The new issue is available through Printed Matter, Magculture, and Public Knowledge Books.
- The Daily Heller: Under a Cloud, Genya Tells All
Steven Heller interviews illustrator and author Yevgenia Nayberg about her new graphic memoir, 'Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters.' The conversation explores her artistic process, influences from Soviet-era life, and how her visual storytelling captures both personal and historical experiences. Nayberg reflects on her style, her connection to Kyiv, and the resilience of creativity under political constraint.
- Fight AI Slop With AI Slop
In this Daily Heller column, Steven Heller critiques the use of AI-generated imagery in political propaganda, responding to reports of a proposed Trump Triumphal Arch in Washington D.C. He admits to creating his own AI-generated image as a form of protest, reflecting on the ethical implications of using AI tools in visual commentary. Heller concludes by reaffirming the enduring power of traditional hand-drawn art, referencing a satirical illustration by Savignac.
- Handbook of Tyranny Maps Tools of Modern Oppression
Steven Heller reviews the fourth edition of Theo Deutinger’s 'Handbook of Tyranny', a visually detailed book mapping the architectural and infrastructural tools of modern oppression. The article highlights how design and architecture serve as instruments of control across political systems, illustrating the blurred line between democratic and authoritarian uses of power. Heller praises the book’s clarity and relevance in exposing the mechanisms of tyranny through design.
- PRINT Magazine’s Book Club
PRINT Magazine’s Book Club announces an upcoming session featuring Dora Drimalas of Hybrid Design discussing her new book 'Hybrid: Curiosity in All Things.' The book explores how curiosity and diverse interests fuel creative practice, showcasing two decades of Hybrid’s work for major clients like Nike, Pinterest, and The North Face. Hosted by Debbie Millman and Steven Heller, the event continues PRINT’s series of design-focused author conversations.
- The Daily Heller
The Daily Heller is an ongoing editorial series by Steven Heller, a celebrated design writer and historian. Hosted on PRINT Magazine, it offers commentary on the past, present, and future of visual culture, covering topics from typography to political design. The series has been recognized by Wired as a must-follow design feed.
- Brandon Sines Updates Frank Ape’s Evolving Art World Presence
Steven Heller interviews artist Brandon Sines about the evolution of his character Frank Ape and the upcoming exhibition 'Let’s Be Frank' at Cycol Gallery in New York. Sines discusses Frank’s growth from street art to a global cultural symbol, his collaborations with brands like Gap, and his plans to expand the character’s universe into new media. The conversation highlights Sines’ balance between personal studio work and public collaborations.
- Aubrey Hirsch Reframes Womanhood in PRINT Book Club Recap
PRINT Magazine recaps a recent Book Club conversation with writer-illustrator Aubrey Hirsch about her new graphic novel 'Graphic Rage.' Hosted by Debbie Millman and Steven Heller, the discussion explored Hirsch’s use of comics as a medium for feminist critique, blending humor, research, and data visualization to challenge societal norms around womanhood. The article highlights her work as both politically potent and visually compelling.
- Drawing Without AI in The Daily Heller
In this short Daily Heller column, Steven Heller reflects on the dominance of AI in creative work and contrasts it with the manual artistry of earlier eras. He nostalgically recalls the days when drawing and design relied on individual skill rather than algorithms or data-driven tools.