--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you want to communicate something…" description: "\"If you want to communicate something, youd better make sure that your design piece is well-dressed and that its teeth are fixed. At the same time, I st..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/347/stefan-sagmeister-13596_anybody_if-you-want-to-communicate-something-you_962333.jpg" --- # If you want to communicate something, youd better make… ![“If you want to communicate something, youd better make sure that your design piece is well-dressed and that its teeth are fixed. At the same time, I still believe that if it is only stylistically great and it has nothing to say, it still is not going to make a lasting impression on anybody.” quote by Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/347/stefan-sagmeister-13596_anybody_if-you-want-to-communicate-something-you_962333.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/347/stefan-sagmeister-13596_anybody_if-you-want-to-communicate-something-you_962333.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/347/stefan-sagmeister-13596_anybody_if-you-want-to-communicate-something-you_962333.jpg) > “If you want to communicate something, youd better make sure that your design piece is well-dressed and that its teeth are fixed. At the same time, I still believe that if it is only stylistically great and it has nothing to say, it still is not going to make a lasting impression on anybody.” [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A design must be both aesthetically polished and conceptually clear to leave a lasting impact. **In simple terms:** Design needs style and substance. Key Takeaway Balance visual appeal with meaning. Themes design communication impact style substance Mood thoughtful critical Type advice insightful When to use this quote - branding - product launch - website redesign - presentation - advertising campaign Key Concepts aesthetics clarity message perception Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your design conveys its intended message? - What elements make a design both beautiful and meaningful? A Different Perspective Style alone cannot sustain audience interest without a clear message. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anybody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anybody/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Stylistically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-stylistically-1788465/) [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Communicate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicate/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Design Piece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design-piece-1788464/) [Dressed Teeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dressed-teeth-1788466/) [Fixed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fixed/) [Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [I still believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-still-believe/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Impression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impression/) [Lasting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasting/) [Lasting impressions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasting-impressions/) [Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Piece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piece/) [Pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pieces/) [Same](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/same/) [Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Still](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/still/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Stylistically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stylistically-1788467/) [Sure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sure/) [Teeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teeth/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Well dressed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/well-dressed/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [Perhaps 25 to 50 years from now, I can design a piece of music, no so that it appeals to something common in millions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tod-machover/perhaps-25-to-50-years-from-now-i-can-design-a-piece-of-music-no-so/) [Tod Machover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tod-machover/) > [ The most important thing is that the work has to be solid \[in terms of its formal structure\] and that the work accomplishes what… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-thiebaud/the-most-important-thing-is-that-the-work-has-to-be-solid-in-terms-of/) [Wayne Thiebaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-thiebaud/) > [When you're making a record, you try to achieve stylistically what fits on you. Like a good old coat, you know what I mean?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-sambora/when-you-re-making-a-record-you-try-to-achieve-stylistically-what/) [Richie Sambora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-sambora/) > [Stylistically speaking, 'Paradise' is a Jekyll & Hyde song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-martel/stylistically-speaking-paradise-is-a-jekyll-hyde-song/) [Marc Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-martel/) > [I like visual layers, stylistically, that's something I enjoy and seek to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-ewing/i-like-visual-layers-stylistically-that-s-something-i-enjoy-and-seek/) [Heidi Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-ewing/) > [Stylistically, we do so many different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coy-bowles/stylistically-we-do-so-many-different-things/) [Coy Bowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coy-bowles/) > [When you ask me who I look up to and who I can admire for their style right now, I have to choose from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/when-you-ask-me-who-i-look-up-to-and-who-i-can-admire-for-their-style/) [T.I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-i/) > [I would never pigeon hole myself stylistically because I just don't know what I am going to want to do next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kt-tunstall/i-would-never-pigeon-hole-myself-stylistically-because-i-just-don-t/) [KT Tunstall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kt-tunstall/) > [Stylistically, I love make-up. I love doing my own make-up and stuff, but clothes-wise, I actually didn't ever really care. Initially the fashion world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-del-rey/stylistically-i-love-make-up-i-love-doing-my-own-make-up-and-stuff/) [Lana Del Rey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-del-rey/) > [We at the Christian Writers Guild couldn't be more proud of Brandy Vallance. Let her debut novel transport you to an entirely fresh time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-b-jenkins/we-at-the-christian-writers-guild-couldn-t-be-more-proud-of-brandy/) [Jerry B. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-b-jenkins/) > [If this continues, if this goes on, then when I die, your memories of me will be my greatest accomplishment. You memories will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/if-this-continues-if-this-goes-on-then-when-i-die-your-memories-of-me/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [When I perform, I don’t think about the haters, the Internet trolls, or anyone else. I care about giving the person in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-aoki/when-i-perform-i-don-t-think-about-the-haters-the-internet-trolls-or/) [Steve Aoki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-aoki/) > [Every woman I have ever known has made a lasting impression on my soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/every-woman-i-have-ever-known-has-made-a-lasting-impression-on-my-soul/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [Some simple words we tell have lasting impressions on them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tallent-jnr-chingwah-iii/some-simple-words-we-tell-have-lasting-impressions-on-them/) [Tallent Jnr Chingwah III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tallent-jnr-chingwah-iii/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) ## More by Stefan Sagmeister > [Keeping a diary supports personal development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/keeping-a-diary-supports-personal-development/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [People who actually tell stories, meaning people who write novels and make feature films, don't see themselves as storytellers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/people-who-actually-tell-stories-meaning-people-who-write-novels-and/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [Some people said, 'Oh you're going to become a fine artist now and do exhibits and stuff.' But I have no desire to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/some-people-said-oh-you-re-going-to-become-a-fine-artist-now-and-do/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [My diary entries allow me to keep track of all the things I would like to change about my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/my-diary-entries-allow-me-to-keep-track-of-all-the-things-i-would/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [I can see my work as a job. I do it for money. I likely already look forward to the weekend on Thursdays. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/i-can-see-my-work-as-a-job-i-do-it-for-money-i-likely-already-look/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [By far, the most determining factor of any brand is the product or the service the company produces. Branding companies have very rarely any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/by-far-the-most-determining-factor-of-any-brand-is-the-product-or-the/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [There are brands out there in the world that have an incredible influence on the culture. Numerous ones are badly done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/there-are-brands-out-there-in-the-world-that-have-an-incredible/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [Whenever I do overcome my inherent fear, it turns out well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/whenever-i-do-overcome-my-inherent-fear-it-turns-out-well/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [I didn't think that personal style had much value in graphic design.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/i-didn-t-think-that-personal-style-had-much-value-in-graphic-design/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [I'm actually quite critical of the storytelling theme. I think all the storytellers are not storytellers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/i-m-actually-quite-critical-of-the-storytelling-theme-i-think-all-the/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [Complaining is silly. Either act or forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/complaining-is-silly-either-act-or-forget/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [Peter Noever is a pain in the ass and a joy in the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/peter-noever-is-a-pain-in-the-ass-and-a-joy-in-the-heart/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [You're authentic when you're honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/you-re-authentic-when-you-re-honest/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [You could say that bad typography brought us the Afghanistan war, the Iraq war, the housing crisis and a good number of other things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/you-could-say-that-bad-typography-brought-us-the-afghanistan-war-the/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [In running, I know that I can train as much as I want and Im never going to break the world record for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/in-running-i-know-that-i-can-train-as-much-as-i-want-and-im-never/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) [Explore all 50 Stefan Sagmeister quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) ## More Anybody quotes > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The reason I got into acting was not to explore myself. I was a reader, I didn't care about acting. I got into it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-scott/the-reason-i-got-into-acting-was-not-to-explore-myself-i-was-a-reader/) [Campbell Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-scott/) > [I would never refuse to work with anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coleen-nolan/i-would-never-refuse-to-work-with-anybody/) [Coleen Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coleen-nolan/) > [Take control of who you report to, what you do, what you create. Or start a business on the side. Deliver some value, any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/take-control-of-who-you-report-to-what-you-do-what-you-create-or/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [I'm against unanswerable concentrations of power, whether that be government or private industry or religious figures - anybody who is not accountable to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-suarez/i-m-against-unanswerable-concentrations-of-power-whether-that-be/) [Daniel Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-suarez/) > [Anybody who is an entrepreneur is a person who essentially has impaired judgment. The odds of success are zilch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/anybody-who-is-an-entrepreneur-is-a-person-who-essentially-has/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [The reality is that the work I do is not private work. I bring all my secrets, my life, to my work. Anybody who's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-garcia/the-reality-is-that-the-work-i-do-is-not-private-work-i-bring-all-my/) [Andy Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-garcia/) > [I want everybody to worship the God of love instead of worshipping the God of hate and torture. But in the meantime, we don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mosab-hassan-yousef/i-want-everybody-to-worship-the-god-of-love-instead-of-worshipping/) [Mosab Hassan Yousef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mosab-hassan-yousef/) > [I don't know anybody that doesn't own a gun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-manchin/i-don-t-know-anybody-that-doesn-t-own-a-gun/) [Joe Manchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-manchin/) > [The Bushes were certainly part of Texas in their mind, but they didn't have the kind of political flavor that you normally find in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-collins/the-bushes-were-certainly-part-of-texas-in-their-mind-but-they-didn-t/) [Gail Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-collins/) > [There's no recovery on Main Street, I can tell you that for sure. And in a re - in an economy like this, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haley-barbour/there-s-no-recovery-on-main-street-i-can-tell-you-that-for-sure-and/) [Haley Barbour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haley-barbour/) > [With what all these people are saying, do you think that anybody wants to be around me? They all think that I did this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-wallice/with-what-all-these-people-are-saying-do-you-think-that-anybody-wants/) [Marc Wallice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-wallice/) > [I'll fight anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-aaron/i-ll-fight-anybody/) [Max Aaron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-aaron/) > [The problem men seem to have, and women, too, is that they have this very structured idea that we should find a partner and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-kendal/the-problem-men-seem-to-have-and-women-too-is-that-they-have-this/) [Felicity Kendal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-kendal/) > [I've done more impeachments than anybody else in the history of the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-sensenbrenner/i-ve-done-more-impeachments-than-anybody-else-in-the-history-of-the/) [Jim Sensenbrenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-sensenbrenner/) [Browse all 1,177 Anybody quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anybody/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you want to communicate something, youd better make sure that your design piece is well-dressed and that its teeth are fixed. 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