Now is better

Now is Better is Stefan Sagmeister’s visually engaging project that invites long-term thinking and reflects on how many aspects of the world have improved. Conceived during the 2020 pandemic lockdown, it presents a snapshot of the present by transforming data into accessible visuals. The book highlights progress and invites reflection on future directions, appealing to readers who enjoy a positive, data-driven perspective amidst the news cycle. The work blends statistics with art—numbers embedded in nineteenth-century paintings, embroidered canvases, lenticular prints, and hand-painted water glasses—creating a unique, contemplative experience.

The publication includes a foreword from Steven Pinker, a renowned psychologist and language expert, a feature essay by graphic designer and historian Steven Heller, and a conversation between Sagmeister and Hans Ulrich Obrist, curator and artistic director of Serpentine Galleries. Now is Better is presented in softcover with flaps and sits inside a die-cut slipcase, accompanied by a lenticular print designed by Sagmeister. The book aims to be a thoughtful visual meditation on daily life and the world as it stands today.

Features

• Lenticular print designed by Sagmeister
• Die-cut slipcase housing the book
• Softcover with flaps
• Foreword by Steven Pinker
• Essay by Steven Heller
• Conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist