THE QUESTION EVERYONE ASKS IS HOW DOES HE DO IT?
Oh sure, he’s really smart and dedicated and works hard,
BUT HOW DOES HE DO IT ALL?
I thought if I showed you what a day in the life of Steve Heller is, it might shed a little light:
Steve gets up early – and I mean really early - and writes his daily blog for PRINT magazine. On any topic that he’s interested in that day. Like a recent one on Penny Marshall and the fact that she isn’t Jewish -- Who Knew?
Then he’s off to the gym. Surprised, just like every day, because he always thinks he’ll be the first one there, but usually he’s not. He can’t believe someone gets up earlier than he does. A little puzzled, he goes back home. It’s about 6:30 am by now, and he gallops through a few newspapers. Oh, and if he had an idea, while exercising at the gym, he writes it down now and emails it to himself so he won’t forget.
Then he saunters to work, sometimes through the Union Square Farmers Market, where he’ll pick up fruit or flowers for the office. And he’s at his desk by 7:30 am ready for his day
At 9:00 am he takes a break, and walks from one water cooler to the other. Then he chats with students who have been working on their projects overnight.
He then reads and responds to new emails from Europe. And by 10:00 am he greets the rest of us, to tell us anything that he found funny, or bizarre or weird about his day up to that point.
Late morning he runs out to meet with his book editors. Followed by lunch - often at Bolo - or other great restaurants. Then he’s back at the office to schmooze --he likes to schmooze-- and trying out new (and sometimes bad) jokes.
Wednesday afternoons he teaches design history.
Are you still with me here? This is still the same day…
Next, there’s at least one telephone class per week, with students from other schools. Perhaps an email interview by a student on a design topic .
He writes more chapters for books that he’s working on
Meets a few more deadlines…
Thinks up new book proposals…
He often spends time doing a podcast,
or being interviewed for a film on another designer,
or on any number of his favorite topics –
such as Nazis!
Or mannequins!
Or movies.
At the end of the day he waits to schmooze with faculty. And usually tells the jokes we laughed at the hardest. He then heads home to begin his evening with his beautiful wife Louise, and his very cool son, Nicholas.
So do you get it?
Steve is someone who likes to say “YES.”
Yes to life, Yes to books, Yes to conferences, Yes to steering committees, Yes to teachers who want to interview him.
I know he’ll hate what I am about to say now,
but Steve is a really NICE guy.
Students and professionals are often intimidated by the “notion” of Steve Heller but are always amazed when they finally meet him -- how easy he is to be around and how funny, smart, involved and engaging he is.
And he makes us laugh.
He always tells jokes, sometimes of the 14-year old genre, (often actually)
and he doesn’t mind if you laugh or not, but he also doesn’t mind if you seem to know that he’s made a joke.
The definition of the word prolific not only means producing abundant works or results, but also to grow and nourish. And that’s what usually happens when you collaborate with Steve.
When Silas first announced the Steve Heller Masters Award, everyone wanted to contribute and support the event. Kevin O’Callaghan and Adria Ingegneri, who mounted the show, have outdone themselves because of their genuine affection for Steve.
Let’s face it, we all love Steve, exactly as much as we should.
AND we’re all the better because of it.
Everyone has a Steve Heller story and it is no surprise to see how many friends turned up for this fete.
Steve! YOU RULE.
And we’re thrilled to give you kudos tonight because we all have something to thank you for and you have truly enriched our lives.
Now I would like to introduce David Rhodes, who holds the proud title of President of SVA and the even prouder one, as friend and supporter of Steve Heller. |
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Who
Are Steven Heller
by Ralph Caplan
How Does He Do It?
by Lita Talarico
Acceptance
by Steven Heller
On The Masters Exhibition
by David Rhodes |