This video has made it’s way around the interwebs, but in case you haven’t seen it – Michael Bierut spoke at the last 99% Conference.

Renowned graphic designer Michael Bierut claims that he’s not creative. Instead, he likens his job to that of a doctor who tends to patients – “the sicker, the better.” Digging into the 86 notebooks he’s kept over the course of his career, Bierut walks us through 5 projects – from original conception to final execution – extracting a handful of simple lessons (e.g. the problem contains the solution; don’t avoid the obvious) at the foundation of brilliant design solutions.

Our very first post on TDP was about a Bierut’s 80+ notebooks. It’s cool to hear him talk about them. I still maintain that the best design begins on paper.

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Ricky Salsberry is an interactive designer working in Chicago and the editor of The Donut Project. In his spare time he reads/rants about technology, watches hockey, wrecks his bike, and designs some more.