The multi-talented Mike Monteiro won us over with his tell it like it is, no bullsh*t approach years ago. Today, in celebration of the publication of his second book, all sizes of Mike's plain-spoken, popular 20x200 editions are back in stock. Read on for the deets!
Untitled (I told my therapist about you) by Mike Monteiro
He may be a man of few words, but Mike Monteiro has a knack for choosing just the right ones. His talent for the acerbic spans many disciplines, and has earned him the distinction of being described by The New Yorker as "delightfully hostile." Unsurprisingly, his art's got a lot to say too.
The sharpness of the white knockout type accented by the slightest wobble in the lines from Mike's own hand are the visual equivalent of the clear statements and their subtext. We're not quite sure if coming up in conversation at therapy is a compliment or an insult, but there's no doubt that what's left unsaid is as weighty as all that black. On the other hand, taking responsibility or standing up for oneself with confidence and sincerity can feel a whole lot heavier than a few little words; in fact for some folks it requires a lot of therapy!
Mike Monteiro cuts through all the crap in his books as well. No fussy serifs, no psychotherapy sessions, just business—and trust us, he knows his business. Mike is an accomplished design director, as well as an artist and author. You're My Favorite Client, Mike's latest book, is a no-fuss guide to solving your design problems effectively by finding the right help and understanding the process. Much like its predecessor, Design is a Job (2012), this book isn't just for design clients or designers. The information applies to anyone in the creative business: artists, writers and photographers, included.
Just like his art—Mike is direct in his book, but he's generous too. There's stiff competition in the design industry, but Mike's putting it all out there anyway; his experiences, his mistakes, and successes are things he shares freely in the hopes that others can learn from them. Some folks get Mike all wrong, thinking he's just playing up the salaciousness of the F-bomb in F--- You. Pay Me, but there's a do-good bit of idealism peeking through all that blunt. He knows that helping designers means more great designs, and that helping clients be great clients makes for even more great design and happy designers.
With art for everyone,
Jen Bekman + Team 20x200
Mike Monteiro is the co-founder and design director of Mule Design, an interactive design studio whose work has been called “delightfully hostile” by The New Yorker. In early 2011, he gave a Creative Mornings talk entitled “F— You, Pay Me” that not only uplifted the downtrodden the world over, but fueled his first book, Design Is a Job. He can be heard weekly as the co-host of Let’s Make Mistakes. None of the terms Mike has coined are printable on a family website... MORE
