It’s hard to pick a single angle when discussing the work of Gail Anderson. Even her triple title - designer, writer, educator - can’t contain the full extent of Anderson’s impact or the wide reach of her creativity. Under each one of these hats Anderson has prolifically and passionately crafted one of the most awe-inspiring creative careers. A towering figure in creative education, Anderson has been teaching in the School of Visual Arts — an institution she herself graduated from — for nearly 30 years, mentoring generations of leaders in design.
Starting this year, Anderson chairs SVA’s BFA Advertising and BFA Design, the institution’s largest department with more than 900 students. She will be replacing Richard Wilde, who chaired the department for 50 years. “I’m excited, awestruck, and more nervous than I’ve been about anything possibly ever,” Anderson said in an interview for Playground following her talk at one of our NYC design events. This position allows Anderson to continue to empower and mentor more creatives, as she has done through her creative practice and education position through the years. “I am ‘leaning in’ to the challenge, as they say, and am grateful for the good wishes and support my colleagues at SVA have offered since the day the announcement was made.”
You’ve been a prominent figure in design education for over two decades. Did you know you wanted to become an educator from the beginning?
“I had teachers from kindergarten through high school who made a tremendous impact on my young life and who encouraged my creativity. Those teachers kept me engaged and challenged, and allowed me to reinvent projects, read ‘grownup” books’, and think beyond the boundaries of my neighborhood in the Bronx. My experience at SVA was similar, but it was now my job to keep up with a cohort of vastly more talented students. My instructors—Richard Wilde and Paula Scher in particular—absolutely changed my life. They shephered my fledgling career after graduation and so it seemed like a no-brainer to me to pay it forward and teach at SVA.”
As a mentor, you’ve taught and groomed leading figures throughout today’s creative landscape. Can you think of one particularly important lesson you’ve given?
GA: “I’ve been fortunate to have taught some pretty amazing designers, and it is my greatest joy to witness their continued growth and success. I hope they’ve learned to remain humble and to be grateful for the opportunities they’ve been afforded because of their talent, hard work, and luck. Being a good person counts for a lot, particularly as you get old and crusty like me. The nicest compliment I can pay parents at commencement is that they’ve raised a good kid. They always beam with pride, as well they should.”
In your mentorship, you must have observed numerous creative processes, creative blocks, and creative solutions. What would you say are the most interesting or surprising things about them? GA: “Some people sketch on paper, others design on the head of a pin and make it up as they go along. The fascinating thing is that we all approach projects differently, but the common denominator is the blank page or blank screen that we all start with. And really, for most of us the common denominator is anxiety or straight up fear. We always wonder if this is the one where they’ll find out for sure that we’re frauds. Ha!”
Would you say your experience as an educator influenced your design work? Did it also influence how you worked with others?
GA: “As an educator, you quickly need to figure out how to articulate your ideas in a simple way that doesn’t confuse people, and you need to learn how to give constructive criticism. Those skills serve you as an art director, as does a hearty dose of patience. And make no doubt, patience is the hardest part, particularly for the ‘tough lady’. My experience as an educator has also made teaching in the workplace something I sometimes do on autopilot, for better or worse. Some are receptive, others are not, and prefer to remain in their chosen lane. I am drawn to people who are hungry to learn and grow, rather than coast along quietly. I love witnessing that wonderful breakthrough when a designer excels at a challenge, often after they’ve hit the wall a few times—that amazing AHA moment.”
You mentioned being a ‘tough lady’ and you’ve spoken before about the specific challenges of being a female leading figure. Do you have any advice for female leaders?
GA: “You do have to have a pretty hard shell as a woman in a leadership position, even in 2019. And you have to make your peace with the ‘tough lady’—or worse—label. Choose your battles, and surround yourself with people who are better and smarter than you. Know that at some point you will probably cry at work—possibly in an unexpected moment of frustration or exhaustion, and it’ll make you crazy because you’ll assume people will think you’re a weak woman, have PMS, or both. Accept that sometimes you’ll be forced to play bad cop, and that as a woman, you just have to roll with the unfortunate labels and assumptions that often come with the territory. A man is admired and respected for his take-charge or even take-no-prisoners style. A woman in charge becomes mother, sister, or wife, and none of those in positive ways. Take comfort in the fact that you’re helping to change things for the generations that follow you.”
Your work for causes ranges from charities to political activism. How do you view your responsibility as a designer? Do you think that design can help in shaping people’s views and opinions?
GA: “Design can absolutely help shape people’s views and opinions. Design can foster or even incite change. Sometimes design solves design problems or makes not so cool stuff look a lot cooler than it would otherwise. All of it’s okay with me. I love that the perception of designers has changed, and that we ourselves keep finding new places to apply our talents. If you have a little success, make sure to give something back. Try to be responsible with the materials you choose to work with. Teach a class—it’ll force you to become an expert in something, and it’ll keep you fresh, and it’ll certainly keep you on your toes.”
Anderson’s words resonate with what is unique about her cross-practice approach - that people, and community, matter.
