Design Entrepreneur

CONCEIVING IDEAS

During the mid-1950s, an era-defining phenomenon overtook the advertising and design fields; it was called the “Big Idea” revolution. Although no shots were fired or governments overthrown—and maybe the word revolution is more hyperbole than truth—nonetheless, the revolutionary spirit was consistent with the innovative philosophy underscoring the Big Idea. It was certainly a coming-of-age period of American consumerism and prosperity, when advertising and design were more than the process of making things look good. The result had to sound, read, and look smart. Indeed, smart ideas were supreme, and everything else was merely fluff. ...