Availability dot

Available to book

Designer & human experience expert

Stefan Sagmeister

Revolutionize creative thinking with Stefan Sagmeister, speaker, graphic design and human experience expert. Stefan works with organizations to enhance visual storytelling, workplace creativity, and behavioral insights, delivering Grammy-winning expertise for clients including Guggenheim Museum and HBO.

Trusted by Guggenheim Museum, HBO

Stefan Sagmeister, Speaker | Graphic Designer
Stefan Sagmeister

Stefan Sagmeister

New York City, United States

Typical fee range

Contact PepTalk for fees

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

Get Stefan's availability

Availability dot
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

Book Stefan

New York City, United States

Starting from

Contact PepTalk for fees

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Stefan Now

Availability dot for speakers
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

Stefan Sagmeister's biography

At a glance

  • Visual storyteller exploring human experience
  • 2x Grammy winner for album design excellence
  • Innovator in typography, interactive installations, and design research
Stefan Sagmeister is an Austrian graphic designer and typographer whose work merges visual storytelling with explorations of human experience. Based in New York, he creates designs that challenge audiences to reconsider how aesthetics shape perception and meaning. Stefan founded Sagmeister Inc. in 1993, producing album covers for Lou Reed, The Rolling Stones, and Talking Heads, earning two Grammy Awards for music packaging. He has partnered with major institutions including the Guggenheim Museum and HBO, and teaches in the graduate design department at the School of Visual Arts. His exhibitions, including The Happy Show, Sagmeister & Walsh: Beauty, Now Is Better, and It’s Getting Better, explore happiness, beauty, and long-term thinking through interactive installations, data visualisation, typography, film, and sculpture. His approach combines personal experimentation, cognitive research, and creative risk-taking, placing individual experience in a broader psychological and social context. Audiences gain insights into the intersection of design, human behavior, and perception, learning to rethink creativity and engage more deeply with ideas, data, and aesthetics. His talks are suited to conferences, workshops, and events where inspiration and practical approaches to innovation intersect. Book Stefan to explore creativity, design, and the human experience through compelling visual storytelling.

Stefan's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Happiness, Beauty and Long-term Thinking
Stefan Sagmeister explores why creativity, happiness, and beauty deserve a central place in how we think about the modern world. Drawing on decades of design work, personal experiments, and psychology research, he challenges the idea that beauty is merely decorative, highlighting that aesthetics shape behaviour, wellbeing, and creativity. Through striking visuals, data, and personal stories, Stefan reframes how we view progress and perspective, revealing how long-term thinking can lead to better decisions, stronger ideas, and more hopeful creativity.
Finally, Something Good
Stefan Sagmeister asks a simple but unsettling question: is the world really getting worse, or are we losing sight of the bigger picture? In a visually rich exploration of long-term data and design, he contrasts the relentless negativity of modern news cycles with centuries of measurable human progress. Transforming statistics into unexpected works of art, Stefan offers a provocative shift in perspective, showing how understanding long-term trends can reshape how we think, create, and respond to the challenges of today.

Why we recommend booking Stefan

Stefan Sagmeister inspires audiences to rethink creativity and design by blending powerful visual storytelling with insights into human behavior and perception. Book Stefan to bring fresh perspectives and practical innovation to your next event.

Check Stefan's availability

Trusted by Guggenheim Museum, HBO

Featured Projects

Stefan Sagmeister - Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far book cover
Stefan Sagmeister - Now Is Better book cover
Stefan Sagmeister - The Happy Film film poster

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Stefan Sagmeister for my next event?
Email stefan.sagmeister@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Stefan's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Stefan Sagmeister's speaking style like?
Stefan Sagmeister transforms statistical data into visual art, using large-scale data visualisation, typography, and interactive installations to reframe long-term trends as perceptual experiences. He structures talks around a central provocation — such as whether the world is measurably improving — then builds the argument through a sequence of designed visuals, personal experiments, and psychology research drawn from his exhibition practice.
What topics does Stefan Sagmeister specialise in?
Stefan Sagmeister's sessions cover happiness and wellbeing, the role of beauty in shaping behaviour, and long-term thinking as a lens on human progress. He holds two Grammy Awards for music packaging, earned through album cover work for Lou Reed, The Rolling Stones, and Talking Heads.
What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

How can I report an issue or make changes to an expert profile?

If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.

Can I book podcast guests through PepTalk?

Yes. PepTalk books commercial podcast guests every week of the year. A high-profile voice can boost your podcast's reach and deliver ideas to your audience at scale. Fees typically start from £1,200 / $1,500, depending on the expert. Our network includes bestselling authors, industry leaders, and cultural figures who have appeared on leading global podcasts — and many host their own. Whether you want bold insights, candid stories, or deep expertise, we'll help you find the right guest to elevate your show.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.