ELLIOTT SCOTT

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, APPLIED DESIGN, NEW YORK, NY

Elliott’s experience as a designer has led him to work in London, Dublin, Sydney, and New York; across a wide range of industries, brands, and products. He’s a passionate designer — both thinker and doer — and revels in projects that require both.

Recent projects include campaign and identity for Shops at the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center, crafting an ultra-high-legibility typeface for the Braille Institute of America, and detailed mapping work for MTA Long Island Railroad. Clients include NYU Langone Health, Hudson Square BID, Port Authority of NY & NJ, Downtown Alliance, Cleanlogic, and Pfizer, to name just a few. Prior to joining Applied Design, Elliott worked at Landor Associates, Saatchi & Saatchi Design, Interbrand, Moon Communications, and Zinc. Past clients include Bose, Alcoa/Times Square Alliance, Citi, New York Life, A1 Mobilkom, City of Brisbane, British Handball Association, Mercy Ships, and the World Health Organization.

Elliott has been fortunate to lead and be part of award-winning teams recognized by D&AD, GDUSA, AIGA, and Fast Company Innovation By Design.

Looking forward to 2023, are you optimistic about the role and impact of Graphic Design and Visual Communication in Business? Culture? Causes? Why do you feel that way? Have the events and disruptions of the past few years changed the role or trajectory of Graphic Design?

I am optimistic about the future of graphic design and the graphic designers that will be building that future. Graphic design is such a powerful tool to communicate ideas, convey information, and shape public opinion that there is a lot of responsibility to ensure we do that with honesty and integrity.

Most influential graphic designer(s) or art director(s) of the past 60 years? Of today?

The obvious answers are the Scher, Glaser, Bass, and Sagmeisters of the world. All great. But, I believe the countless unknown designers that put a lot of effort into the forgettable things that make our lives just a fraction easier on a daily basis are just as influential.

Most influential graphic design firm(s), ad agency(s), or in-house department(s) of the past 60 years? Of today?

I’m a fan of Wolff Olins for coming up with their big boundary-pushing ideas and Mucca for their attention to the small details. I’m proud of our work at Applied Design — we’ve done our best to positively impact our hometown of New York City and beyond, in big and small ways too.

Favorite or most influential logo or branding project of the past 60 years?

My all-time favorite monogram is V&A, my favorite icon is the Bass Girl Scouts (bring it back, central parts are in again), and my favorite lettering is for Jurassic Park (I drew that thing 65 million times as a kid).

Favorite or most influential design project or campaign in any medium for the past 60 years?

It’s not really a graphic design project, but I love love love the Nike ISPA and Space Hippie lines. They’re super cool, the graphics are amazingly futuristic but familiar, and the products are stunning. The approach of reusing, repurposing, and recontextualizing waste products is phenomenal. It’s good to know we’ll be stylish and comfy in the BladeRunner times that are fast approaching.

Most influential design products, services, or technology of the past 60 years?

Adobe has been pretty great. Adobe opened design up to a much wider audience and made making things a lot faster. Canva is doing the same thing, giving the tools over to more people, which is great.