Ellen Lupton

There aren’t many people out there with the kind of influence in the world of graphic design that Ellen Lupton wields. The director of the Graphic Design MFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art and curator of contemporary design at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design, she’s also written several books on the subject, including Thinking With Type, which explores the history, theory, and practice of typography. Ellen says that she’ll speak about design to anybody that will listen, and anyone who’s interested in the field would be well advised to do so. Her 10 ANSWERS are below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Designing, writing, teaching.

2. Who is your creative role model?
Maira Kalman: brilliant writer, artist, and author; great mother and partner.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Have more sex with my husband.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
The city of Amsterdam is filled to brim with inspiring people, buildings, streets, bookstores, and works of design. And not so many cars.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
It would be fun to work at a magazine. I like being with people and collaborating.

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
A painting.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
My dog.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Re-read every email before you hit send. You will ALWAYS find an error.

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
Design Sponge, Design Observer, Many Stuff, Core 77, NY Times.

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
When it has a beginning, middle, and end.