Sven Ingmar Thies uses listening as his sharpest design tool. He draws energy from Hamburg and quiet elegance from Tokyo to shape his vision as a designer, educator, and author of Teaching Graphic Design. In this conversation, Thies shares how feedback drives creative breakthroughs and how a single pause fuels fresh ideas. Thies crafts visuals with intention and builds real connections that bring creativity to life. Let’s begin by reading the interview with this artist.
1. Could you please introduce yourself and share a bit about your journey as a designer and educator?
Born in Hamburg, Germany, I founded Thies Design 26 years ago, I have been teaching communication design at the University of Applied Arts Vienna for 12 years and I am the author of the book “Teaching Graphic Design”.
After studying graphic design, I spent a year in London learning to work in a structured and efficient way. I then spent two and a half years in Tokyo learning to communicate with few words, and I have enjoyed listening ever since.
I believe that communication, design and education require precise language and clear feedback.
2. How do you believe listening deeply influences a designer’s ability to connect with a project and its context?
In design education, conscious listening transfers the responsibility for action and design to the person speaking, to the student. This is crucial because it is not me as a teacher who tells the students how and what they have to design, but rather accompanies them in finding their own ways to develop their own attitude towards our discipline.
In professional practice, “active listening” signals my appreciation of the person speaking, demonstrates empathy and the will to want to understand new things and create excellent design together. That’s why I listen to clients, project partners and also the people who are to be addressed by my design. Designers should listen more to people, not do research on the computer.
3. In what ways can the practice of giving and receiving feedback foster a stronger creative community among designers?
I remember a situation from my time at university. Three classmates and I had to design a logo together. We had some intense discussions, which were a bit harsh at times, but everyone contributed and gave each other feedback. In the end, I was convinced that my idea was the best and couldn’t understand why they didn’t agree. I left the room. The next day, I returned to find that they had created a much better logo. Since then, I have realised that receiving and accepting feedback is important, and that group work and perseverance always lead to a better outcome.
4. How do the ideas of listening and feedback prepare a designer to face the unpredictable challenges of professional life?
“Active listening” and the ability to provide and receive constructive feedback without causing offence are valuable professional skills. These are not innate skills. You need to practise these skills. Everyone has their own personal challenges with these topics. That’s why I started running feedback workshops, bringing together creative people and clients. They discuss their needs and positive and negative experiences of giving or receiving feedback on creative work. During the workshops, they realise that they have similar problems and start to understand each other. It’s a great workshop format that has always led to valuable insights.
5. Can slowing down to truly listen and reflect change the outcome of a design process in meaningful ways?
Yes, it can. If you truly listen to your clients — the people your design is intended for — you will gain valuable insights and inspiration. First, you need to understand. Then you can create.
6. What do you think really separates art from design, and can that line be flexible depending on purpose or perspective?
I would like to emphasise the connection between art and design by quoting Bell Hooks from Outlaw Culture: “The function of art is to do more than depict reality; it is to imagine what is possible.” The same is true of design. The only difference may be the outcome. An artist defines everything themselves. A designer discusses things with their client.
7. How might design education help students find balance between creative freedom and practical demands?
Our lessons are primarily project-based. We combine various types of project. In free projects, students find their own topics and ways of expressing themselves, with the aim of improving something. We also complete applied projects with people from outside the class. In these projects, students work on a client’s brief and learn how to communicate with them.
8. Can you recall a time when receiving feedback challenged your assumptions and opened new creative possibilities?
I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to call it feedback, but when I was hesitating about starting my book project, Teaching Graphic Design, I talked to Fritz Frenkler. He’s an industrial designer, as well as a friend and mentor of mine from when I lived in Japan. He told me, “Ingmar, just start! Don’t think. You need to do it, and then everything else will fall into place.” This changed my mindset, shifting my focus from planning and developing a concept for the book to taking action.
Completely off topic, but an eye-opener in my youth: A creative director and mentor of mine once told me, “Ingmar, you need to show your teeth when you smile.” I’ve done it ever since, and I still do.
9. In your view, what future changes are essential for design education to embrace the emotional and philosophical aspects of creativity?
Stick to the fundamentals of design: keep an open mind and talk to people, even those who have different views to you. Listen to them. Try to understand their perspective. Stay curious about the world around you and other disciplines. Collaboration has always been, and will continue to be, key. Always discuss things respectfully and never stop defending your beliefs.
10. Finally, is there anything about your work or ideas on design, listening, or feedback that you’ve always wanted to share but haven’t had the chance to?
I love learning! So, dear readers, why not join me for #TuesdayQuestions on LinkedIn? Every Tuesday at 8:00 MESZ, I will post a question and an answer from renowned designers such as Eric Spiekermann, Rathna Ramanathan and Stefan Sagmeister to kick-start the conversation. Join in! Share your experiences and get inspired!
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Instagram: Ingmar Thies
LinkedIn: ingmarthies
Book:www.teachinggraphicdesign.com
Book order English: https://birkhauser.com/en/book/9783035629668
Book order German: https://birkhauser.com/de/book/9783035629675
Studio:www.thiesdesign.com
University: www.klassefuerideen.at
Interview by: Behnam Raeesian
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