Sketch and Finish: The Journey from Here to There

The late designer Glaser (1929–2020) illuminates his creative process from concept through final product in this enlightening work. He posits that, in the creation of a great work of art, “the sketch is the mind’s introduction to a creative journey.” Extensively illustrated with etchings and renderings, Glaser’s account explores in great detail how “a drawing is useful because it helps you refocus and recalibrate perceptions.” Glazer writes that “everything is usable for interpretation” in transforming sketches into finished works. For example, he used subtle humor to turn an image of Sigmund Freud into a deity for a magazine illustration project, converted triangular shapes to create the logo for housewares company Alessi, and enlivened an illustration project depicting author Herman Hesse by adding vivid color. Glaser also shares the inspiration behind his best-known work, the I Love NY logo, which came to him “in a cab days after New York State accepted a typographic mark I came up with.” Succinct and insightful, Glaser’s work will inspire illustrators, artists, and visual stylists in their creative endeavors. (Nov).