Famous Names in the Design Village in the World and Vietnam

 In the creative space of the design industry , there are names that not only leave their mark with talent but also create turning points that change the way we perceive and apply design. From inspirational breakthroughs in the international arena to unique contributions imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity, these Designers not only create iconic products but also inspire the next generation. Their influence does not stop at creating images or graphics, but also spreads to every principle, method and modern design trend. In the article below, we will explore famous Designers in the world and in Vietnam - those who have been and are creating the appearance of the world of art and visual communication every day.

1. Famous Designers in the world

1.1. Chip Kidd

He has spent 30 years designing books and is one of the people who helped to start a revolution in book design in America. “Yes, BOOKS. You know, those paper volumes with covers and ink on the pages. You can’t turn them off by flipping a switch. Tell your kids that,” he shared.

The job he really wanted was to be a graphic designer at one of New York’s big design firms. But when he arrived in New York in the fall of 1986, he went on a series of interviews, but the only job he got was as an assistant to the graphic director at Alfred A. Knopf, a publisher. “I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into, but it didn’t take long for me to figure out what my job was. My job was to ask, ‘What do stories look like?’” Because that’s how Knopf works. It’s a story factory, one of the greatest in the world. We bring stories to people. Stories can be anything, some of them are true. But they all have one thing in common: They need to look like something. They all need a face. Why? To give you a first impression of what you’re about to read. Book designers give form to the content of a book, but they also have to balance the two.”

1.2. Peter Saville

Peter Saville is an English art director and graphic designer known for the hardback record sleeves he designed for Factory Records while serving as the company's art director in the 1980s. In 2004 he was creative director for Manchester City and in 2010 he designed the football club's home kit.

His portfolio includes carefully catalogued items of record sleeves, covers or packaging spanning from 1978 to 2016. Influenced by neoclassicism and postmodern architecture, his work is described by The Guardian as combining “a precise elegance with an uncanny ability to identify images that encapsulate a moment”. In a digital age where physical album covers are virtually non-existent, Saville’s extensive portfolio shines a light on how design, art and music are so intertwined that they are truly pushing the boundaries. Anyone who wants to go beyond their usual abilities as a designer and create something truly groundbreaking will succeed.

1.3. Max Vignelli

Massimo Vignelli is an Italian designer who has worked in a number of different fields, from household packaging, advertising, identity, industrial design to interior and exterior architectural design. Vignelli’s motto is: “If you can design one thing, you can design everything”, and this is clearly reflected in the range of his work.

Vignelli is considered to have worked firmly within the modernist tradition, and focused on simplicity through the use of basic geometric forms in all of his work.

One of the most influential designers of the last century, Vignelli won most of the industry's prestigious awards, including the AIGA Gold Medal (1983, with Lella), the first Presidential Design Award (Ronald Reagan – 1985), the Gold Medal for Design from the National Arts Club (2004), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum (2005).

Vignelli became aware of design as a teenager, after visiting his mother’s interior designer friend’s house. He never thought that almost everything around him was formed from human dreams, and became fascinated by the idea of ​​design. He started reading all the design books and magazines and sketching ideas for furniture for his room.

At the age of 16, he began studying and working in the offices of a local architect. Design schools did not exist at the time, so he left Italy at the age of 18 to study architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, then the Universitàdi Architettura in Venice.

From 1957 to 1960, he visited the United States on a training course, and returned to New York in 1966 to start Unimark International, which quickly became one of the largest design firms in the world in terms of influence and number of employees. During this time Vignelli designed the iconic signs and maps of the 1970s and 1980s for the New York City subway system. Vignelli created the signage and navigation systems for the DC Metro and suggested that it be named “Metro” like many other city subways. Its original name was a mishmash of different countries and transportation groups.

1.4. Jonathan Barnbrook

Barnbrook is a renowned graphic designer, known for his unique designs and his ability to satirize aspects of society including law, politics, and banking through his works. For him, “inner anger is the answer to all the injustices in this world”. He has stated his strong ambition to “use design as a weapon for social change”.

Barnbrook founded his own design studio, Barnbrook Design (now Barnbrook), in 1990. In 2010, he released the hugely successful typeface “Mason” (originally “Manson”), which was released by Emigre and became an early hit at The Museum of Modern Art, New York. His stone carvings are also on permanent display in the Victoria & Albert Museum’s 20th-century collection. In 1997, he founded his own type company, VirusFonts, which released popular fonts such as “Bastard” and “Tourette.” A series of fonts followed soon after: Exocet False Idol, Infidel, Moron, Newspeak, Olympukes, Sarcastic, Shock & Awe. Back in 2007, the British graphic designer’s work was recognized with a major exhibition at the Design Museum in London called “Friendly Fire.” In 2008, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Staffordshire University for his work in typography. In 2009, the exhibition “Collateral Damage” featured Jonathan Barnbrook’s famous work.

Barnbrook believes that design shapes the environment, changing the way we perceive things around us. He believes that “design can change the world when it serves the right people and strikes a political chord.” He signed “First Things First 2000,” published in 1999, signed by graphic designers, students, and photographers who wanted to reverse the order of priorities in the way graphic design is commonly used. In “First Things First 2000,” graphic designers pledged that “their skills are valuable” and that it would help solve the “unprecedented environmental, social, and cultural crisis” they saw in the world. He created a billboard in 2001 that read “designers, stay away from companies that use you to be their liars.” Barnbrook has also produced many free ads for political, social, or justice causes.

2. Famous Designers in Vietnam

2.1 Nguyen Son Tung

As one of Vietnam’s most renowned designers, Nguyen Son Tung’s works are a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. Inspired by Vietnam’s rich cultural traditions, Tung infuses his designs with elements that resonate deeply with the Vietnamese soul.

His work, however, is not limited to tradition. With a keen eye for global design trends, Tung seamlessly blends old with new, creating designs that are both rooted in heritage and forward-looking. His ability to capture the essence of Vietnam while remaining relevant to the global design landscape has earned him international acclaim and recognition.

2.2 Vo Hoang Hieu

As one of the prominent designers in the design industry, Vo Hoang Hieu's designs stand out for their intricate details and captivating storytelling. Hieu's works tell stories about Vietnam's past, vibrant present and promising future.

His designs, whether branding projects or illustrations, are a visual journey through the heart and soul of Vietnam. Hieu’s commitment to excellence and passion for storytelling through design has made him one of the most sought-after designers in Vietnam.

2.3 Dang Hai Ha

Innovation and creativity are at the core of Dang Hai Ha’s design philosophy. Ha is more than just a designer; he is a visionary, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in design. Ha’s work, often experimental and avant-garde, challenges conventional design norms.

From bold typography to unique layouts, Ha’s designs are testament to his belief that design is an ever-evolving discipline that requires constant exploration and innovation. His bold approach to design has inspired a generation of young designers in Vietnam to think outside the box.

So SaDesign has joined you to learn about famous Designers in the world, their achievements and design styles. The above names, in any aspect, have created certain impacts on the Design industry, shaping the stormy development of modern graphic design.