Morioka: So why did you decide to make your latest book Infiltrate: The Front Lines of the New York Design Scene?

Gelman: Unfortunately, American design is not very well regarded around the world. This is because most of the American design that reaches overseas is not so good. From the inside, the picture is different. Being involved in both the American and international design scene, I’m probably in the right position for dealing with subjects like this. New York designers are a mix of nationalities,

backgrounds, and experiences. So, by focusing so narrowly on such a small geographical area the book presents and reflects what’s going on in the world as a whole. And that’s a unique feature of New York City.

M: The designers you’ve selected are not the usual suspects, whether it be in the United States or internationally—except for Stefan Sagmeister. So what were the criteria for being considered the best of the best of New York design studios?

G: The criteria for inclusion was a) a strong personal initiative and creative drive, b) visually and conceptually stimulating work, and c) having something to say, whether it be opinionated, honest, funny, etc.

I was also looking for diversity in age, background, and genre of graphic design. Not for the sake of fairness but to give the reader a better perspective on what the New York design experience is like.

M: A lot of the work is very personal to the point that it could be considered