Mirko Ilić – Famed Graphic Designer & Founder of The Tolerance Project

Born in Bosnia.

In Europe illustrated and art directed posters, record covers, books and comics.

Arrived in U.S. in 1986.

Was commissioned as an illustrator for many of the major magazines and newspapers in the U.S. and around the world.

 In 1991 became an Art Director at Time Magazine, in charge of International editions.

 In 1992 became an Art Director of New York Times Op-Ed pages.

In 1995 established Mirko Ilic Corp., graphic design and 3-D computer graphics and motion picture title studio.

Received Medals from Society of Illustrators, Society of Publication Designers, Art Directors Club, I.D. Magazine, Society of Newspaper Design, and others

His work is in collections of institutions such as Smithsonian Museum, SFMOMA in San Francisco and MoMA in New York has 38 of his designs in their collection.

He taught advanced design classes at Cooper Union with Milton Glaser, and master degree classes in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts.

He also organizes and curates shows and lectures around the world.

The most known of them is the Tolerance Project: A Traveling Poster Show, which appeared more than 157 times in 46 countries around the world.

He is the co-author of the following books with Steven Heller:

“Genius Moves: 100 Icons of Graphic Design With”  (North Light Books, USA, 2001)

“Handwritten” (Thams & Hudson, UK, 2004)

“The Anatomy of Design”  (Rockport, USA, 2007)

“Stop, Think, Go, Do”  (Rockport, USA, 2011) “Lettering Large: The Art and Design of Monumental Typography” (The Monacelli Press, USA, 2013)

“Presenting Shakespeare: 1,100 Posters from Around the World” (Princeton Architectural Press, USA, 2015)

“Head to Toe: The Nude in Graphic Design” (Rizzoli, USA, 2018)

“Milton Glaser: POP“ (The Monacelli Press, USA, 2023)

And also he has co-authored these books with Milton Glaser:

“The Design of Dissent“ (Rockport, USA, 2005)

“The Design of Dissent, Expended Edition“ (Rockport, USA, 2017)

On this episode, Mirko shares his one way ticket into the light. He also talks about the origins and the importance of the Tolerance Project, why great ideas are often right under our noses, shares how good design is something we don't notice, and more.

Mirko is just one of the exceptional individuals featured on the podcast where Host Steven Shalowitz explores with his guest where they would go if given a one way ticket, no coming back! Their destinations may be in the past, present, future, real, imaginary or state of mind. 

Steven's guests have included: Nobel Peace Prize Winner, President Jose Ramos-Horta; General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.); Legendary Talk Show Host, Dick Cavett; Law Professor, Alan Dershowitz; Fashion Expert, Tim Gunn; Broadcast Legend, Charles Osgood; International Rescue Committee President & CEO, David Miliband; Former United States Senator, Joseph I. Lieberman; Playwright, David Henry Hwang; Journalist-Humorist-Actor, Mo Rocca; SkyBridge Capital Founder & Co-Managing Partner, Anthony Scaramucci; Abercrombie & Kent Founder, Geoffrey Kent; Travel Expert, Pauline Frommer, as well as leading photographers, artists, chefs, writers, intellectuals, etc.