Here is a really interesting view point from world renown graphic designer Paula Scher – she’s designed record covers, book covers, and the Citibank logo. She gives a TedTalk about graphic design and how good design is serious, not solemn. What she means by this is that solemn design is socially acceptable, it fits the conformity of “popular” design or the trend. Serious design, or as she says, “serious play” is design that happens spontaneously.
“Serious art is about invention, change, rebellion, not perfection. Perfection happens during solemn play,”
and that one should try and create serious design whenever possible. Her reaction to the helvetica font is funny and endearing, and is what caused her to break out of the conformity of typical design. Enjoy!