Design for the Real World

Graphic designer Ken Carbone explains the Swiss army knife’s enduring functionality.

A critique of the redesign of American currency, by Michael Bierut, a partner at the international design firm Pentagram and president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

Graphic designer Michael Bierut, president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts,dusts off old album covers and explores the convergence of marketing and art on the nearly obsolete 12″ by 12″ canvas.

For writer and designer Veronique Vienne, the sleek cylinder of color is as indispensable as a Swiss army knife.

Graphic designer Steven Heller looks at an ancient token of good fortune that was transformed into the emblem of Nazi Germany.