In this episode, I talk to Astrid Stavro, a creative director and graphic designer. We cover topics such as the importance of learning and continually being a student, Astrid’s work routines, advice for young designers, her experience as a Pentagram partner, what makes for a good piece of graphic design, how to orient ourselves during times of change, and much more.

Biography

Astrid Stavro is an internationally-renowned graphic designer with a reputation for strong concept-driven design that is to the point, emotionally engaging, and emphasising exquisite typography and craft. Her clients span the cultural and commercial worlds, and her work encompasses brand identity, editorial, exhibition design, wayfinding systems, and packaging.

She has worked for Camper, Vitra, Phaidon, McKinsey & Company, Tate Publishing, Fedrigoni, Port magazine, Laurence King, The National Portrait Gallery, and Wallpaper*, amongst many others. Also, she led the celebrated redesign of the London-based arts and culture magazine Elephant, where she was Art Director and Contributing Editor from 2013–2017.

Stavro directed her own award-winning studio in Barcelona for ten years, and in 2013 she co-founded the renowned brand and design consultancy Atlas with Pablo Martín. In 2018 she was invited to join Pentagram as a Partner, where she directed her team for three years.

Her work has been widely published and has received over 150 international awards, including D&AD and the Type Directors Club of New York. In 2010, she was elected a member of Alliance Graphique Internationale, the world’s most prestigious design association. Currently, she is the President of ISTD, the International Society of Typographic Designers.

Selected Links From the Episode

• Astrid Stavro’s Instagram
• Astrid Stavro’s Twitter
• Atlas, Design Consultancy
• Pentagram
• Etienne Delessert
• International Society of Typographic Designers
• Adrian Shaughnessy
• Sonya Dyakova
• Derek Birdsall
• Consolations by David Whyte
• Yuri Suzuki on the Creative Voyage Podcast
• BLM Floor Mural
• Colors Magazine by Oliviero Toscani and Tibor Kalman
• Point It by Dieter M. Gräf
• Phil Baines
• Whole Earth Catalog
• Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

Show Notes

• Introduction [00:00:00]
• On Art Direction Workshop [00:01:02]
• Episode Introduction [00:03:05]
• The Beginning of Astrid's Creative Journey [00:05:23]
• Career Advice and Tips for Young Designers [00:18:14]
• Work Routines of an Independent Creative Director [00:26:12]
• Short Episode Break – Support the Podcast [00:40:57]
• Managing Finances as a Designer [00:41:40]
• On Professional and Personal Growth and Development [00:49:36]
• How to Navigate Life's Changes and Challenges [00:54:06]
• Becoming a Pentagram Partner [01:08:26]
• Elements of Good Graphic Design [01:16:53]
• How to Be a Better Creative Professional [01:24:44]
• Episode Outro [01:25:50]

Full transcript and more at https://creative.voyage/