Famous Graphic Design Studios

If you're embarking on a career in graphic design – or just interested in creating some great layouts – there are some designers that you positively need to know about.

These are the designers that have changed the way graphic design is seen in the contemporary world; the mavericks; the thinkers; those who have made a difference.

We've focused on just five names, but who do you think we should add to the list? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of the post.

01. Milton Glaser

Glaser was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Obama in 2009

Milton Glaser is one of the world's most celebrated graphic designers. His most famous work is undoubtedly the logo he designed for New York to promote tourism in the city in 1977 (below). Much copied, much used and much adored, the 'I love New York' logo is set in American Typewriter, a rounded slab serif.

His 'I Love New York' logo has been in use since 1977

But Glaser is much more than the one logo. His work for Bob Dylan, DC Comics and The Brooklyn Brewery are just some of the logo masterpieces that cement Glaser as one of the most prominent designers in history.

"The most important thing in design, it seems to me, is the consequence of your action, and whether you're interested, fundamentally, in persuading people to do things that are in their interests, " he told Computer Arts: learn more in this exclusive interview. He's also the subject of a 2008 documentary film Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight.

02. Stefan Sagmeister

Stefan Sagmeister recently formed a business partnership with young designer Jessica Walsh

Born in Austria, New York-based graphic designer and typographer Stefan Sagmeister has had somewhat of a resurgence in the last year – mainly due to Sagmeister Inc becoming Sagmeister & Walsh after he made talented young designer Jessica Walsh partner. Announcing himself on the scene 20 years ago with a naked shot, the pair recently did the same thing, and it did the PR job.

But there's more to Sagmeister than nudity: his often conceptual, thought-provoking work has turned just as many heads as his PR: particularly his 'cutting' work for AIGA and his incredible album artwork for Lou Reed.

Stefan Sagmeister is a long-standing collaborator with Lou Reed

Over the year Sagmeister has designed branding, graphics, and packaging for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, HBO, the Guggenheim Museum and Time Warner. Read this Computer Arts' interview to learn more.

03. David Carson

Carson is best known for innovative magazine design and use of experimental typography