David Airey

Milton Glaser on Donald Trump

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David Airey
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“Well, I’ve met him — I’ve even done a vodka bottle for him as a matter of fact. I don’t know how to think about him. He’s an example of the power of the ego. How can anyone be so totally egocentric to not understand that there are others in the universe. It also shows the power of that position: When you don’t think there are others, everything is attainable for you. I just find that the combination of incredible ambition and a lack of modesty can be a terrifying prospect. And if you’re in a roomful of people like that, you realize that that’s why the world is the way it is.

“And the other thing is: I can’t figure out his hair. From the point of view of someone who is into art and form-making, I can’t figure out the structure of it: where it’s coming and where it’s going. And then I also wonder, what does he think this object on his head achieves? It’s just a great mystery.”

Catch the rest of the Milton Glaser interview in New York Magazine.

Related on Fast Company: I designed for Donald Trump. I wouldn’t do it again.

Comments

12 responses to “Milton Glaser on Donald Trump”

  1. Lee Newham Avatar
    Lee Newham

    The first time I went to New York I was amazed at these ugly buildings with the words TRUMP in large letters across them. TRUMP is a term meaning FART in the UK where I grew up. But that was back in 2001 a few months before 9/11 and I hadn’t heard of ‘The Donald’.

    I find it odd that he furnishes them in the style of a 17th century French Palace.

    All of which probably explains his hair.

    Reply
  2. Lee Newham Avatar
    Lee Newham

    Not one of Mr Glasers best jobs I have to say. Why on earth is a property tycoon and tv ‘personality’ releasing a vodka? Is he an expert vodka producer, does he have Russian heritage and it’s based on an old family recipe? What’s the connection?

    Which probably goes to explain why it failed.

    This bandwagon of every unworthy celebrity sticking their name on countless products they don’t care about, have knowledge of or expertise in surely has to end soon?

    Reply
  3. David Airey Avatar
    David Airey

    A quote from TIME, “On Larry King Live, he said he got into the vodka business to outdo his friends at Grey Goose.”

    The power of the ego in search of one-upmanship. The label isn’t one of Milton Glaser’s finest designs, but it’s probably very fitting for the Trump brand.

    Reply
  4. Natasha McEachron Avatar
    Natasha McEachron

    Great response from Glaser; it’s amusing but also true.

    I think Milton Glaser could have (and might have) designed a better label but the design is probably exactly what Trump wanted and it actually fits the “Goldfinger-ness” of the Trump brand.

    Reply
  5. Richard Avatar
    Richard

    I can’t help but think that designing for Donald Trump would be rather torturous. Much like looking at his hair or hearing him speak.

    Reply
  6. Brian Yerkes Avatar
    Brian Yerkes

    I find it odd that Glaser says he doesn’t understand Trump’s hair. It’s iconic in the modern celebrity obsessed society. E! News constantly talks about, the magazines talk about, reporters talk about it…It’s part of his identity, and just another differentiator between him and the billionaire standing next to him.

    As an identity designer, I’m sort of surprised that Glaser would question it in the manner that he did, and not be able to appreciate the power of it. People talk about it all the time. If he had a “normal” hairstyle, people would talk about him less. Seems like Trump understands how to build an identity out of anything.

    Reply
  7. Meredith Avatar
    Meredith

    Actually I kinda like the design…am I really alone on that?
    Sleek, clean, and of course meeting the customers requests in the design brief (probably the use of Gold was Trump’s idea )
    Anyway, as to the hair thing,I doubt he wears it that way because its iconic….It’s just that when he looks in the mirror all he see’s is, perfection. He probably can’t understand any kind of negative feedback it just doesn’t register with him. (Wish I could be like that.)

    Reply
  8. Soji BENN Avatar
    Soji BENN

    All I can say is that “TRUMP is an attitude.” He is a man with high internal power. Moving with less reaction to environmental factors. He is an ACTOR in his industry.

    If I may ask, Who are the ACTORs in our art&designs industry.

    Soji BENN

    Reply
  9. Jill Adamy Avatar
    Jill Adamy

    Milton Glaser… I studied him long ago in college and loved his design sense and now I see his opinion of Trump mirrors my own. Trump has done a great job creating his own brand identity (albeit a rather tacky gold-plated disaster). But nonetheless, he’s made himself recognizable and someone that people continue to watch – and I highly doubt he doesn’t appreciate the attention!

    Thanks for this article!

    Reply
  10. Saruhan Avatar
    Saruhan

    Donald Trump… We Turkish people don’t know him well but Trump Tower in the middle of Istanbul tells us about his ego.

    Reply
  11. Lee @ Designed By Good People Avatar
    Lee @ Designed By Good People

    Milton Glazer’s words in light of the last 2 years are even more poignant than they were when this was first published.

    Business people go into politics. Lawyers do. Actors do. But do designers, architects, or advertising people?

    Reply
    1. David Airey Avatar
      David Airey

      Lee Newham, MP for Good People.

      Reply

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