Vignelli Center Lecture: Philip Burton

Lecture title: "From Mauerstrasse to Wall Street: A Designer's Journey"

"I can trace my desire to be a designer back to third February 6 grade, and everything I did along the way was intended to make that a reality. Along the way, I was influenced  by things that convinced me that I should study at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Basel, Switzerland in a special program that was started by Armin Hofmann and Emil Ruder. My initial intention to study there for one year turned into five. In addition to Mr. Hofmann, my teachers included Kurt Hauert, Peter von Arx, Andre Midler, Max Schmid, and Wolfgang Weingart. I left the school with a new pair of eyes. I am interested in the formal aspects of design. Working that way has given me limitless joy. 

"My life has included teaching-University of Houston, Rice University, Yale University, Yale Summer Program in Graphic Design in Brissago, Switzerland, and the University of Illinois at Chicago-as well as practicing design. A valuable combination. In addition to my current teaching responsibilities, I am a consultant for a global financial investment research company that seeks to empower people to take control of their own money. I never imagined I would be doing such work."