Now is Better

This book is a kind of review of Stefan Sagmeister's artistic and educational project, within the framework of which he presents real data on the development of our civilization in recent decades and centuries by deconstructing and rethinking works of art from the past. These works, accompanied by the author's comments and reflections, have a completely noble goal: to create a counterbalance to the negativity spread by the media in order to attract public attention, and to emphasize that, despite all the troubles and suffering, humanity is steadily moving towards a longer, healthier and happier life year after year.

Here is how Stefan Sagmeister himself declares his intention:

“If you look at the development of humanity in the long term, most aspects of our lives have improved significantly. Fewer people are hungry, fewer people are dying in wars or as a result of natural disasters, and more people than ever before live in democratic countries, and they are also living much longer.

Two hundred years ago, nine out of ten people could neither read nor write; now, only one in ten can.

Much is moving in the right direction, despite years of media telling us otherwise. At the time of writing, we are still recovering from a global pandemic, with monkeypox looming, war is raging in Europe, and many countries are suffering the negative effects of climate change. We are more likely to find solutions to these problems from a position of recognition of past successes than from a position of doom and gloom.

I am a designer. My work can be described as exploring complex subjects, taking the main directions, and transforming them into something that is understandable to the general public.

And I will try.”