While technology and new media continue to transform the process and delivery of visual communications, what hasn't changed is the designer's need to create compelling messages that connect with their intended audiences. Following is a sampling of work and commentary from a few of the 734 design firms we've profiled in the last 50 years. The work exudes vibrancy that transcends its moment in time.

“The most important factor in our work is the operation of a unique personality. The design should never be anonymous.” —Milton Glaser, Push Pin Studios, 1962

“A good designer will educate a client right, do an outstanding job of visual communication in the process, sell the client’s products and satisfy his own aesthetic requirements along the way.” —Robert Miles Runyan, 1963

“We’re selling concept and production capabilities. All that neatness and showy presentation hasn’t got a damn thing to do with how well you've solved the problem.” —David Ashton, Ashton-Worthington, 1973

“We try to be fair and generous with staff credits. It can be painful when a young person feels his or her contribution is not being recognized. They belong to our design team even when they leave.” —Leila Vignelli, Vignelli Associates, 1990

“If you have a brilliant idea and it’s well executed, then the whole piece holds together. But a lot of stuff that’s just well-produced presents itself as good design, and it's not.” —Leslie Smolan, Carbone Smolan Associates, 1987

“There’s no office aesthetic here, really. I guess it’s because of the mix of people, but the result can sometimes be a kind of creative chaos.” —Dana Arnett, VSA Partners, 1994

“We never deliberately make something difficult to read. We try to provoke people into reading things they might otherwise skip.” —John Plunkert, Plunkert Kuhr Design, 1995

“One thing we share is the ‘designer gene’—that passion or driving force that every good designer is born with. The thing that makes us look at everything around us and live and breathe design.” —-Maureen Erbe, Erbe Design, 2003

“If we don't create images for our client to grow into, then our work is of no lasting value.” —Jack Anderson, Hornall Anderson Design Works, 1996 ca