I'm a student of advertising and design and like to keep up on trends, movers & shakers and other noteworthy goings on. I've recently been seeing Stephen Sagmeister's name here and there so I thought I'd learn more about his work.

I don't get it. Why is this guy so acclaimed? After reading a few interviews and some facts about his work and business, he seems to have an intellegent approach to his craft, but his work is not that provacative or compelling. His scribled text isn't really visually appealing and he isn't the first designer to do that. Although having text scratched into one's skins does show passion. Is it the fact his work is more personal expression than good design? Does he manage to bridge the gap between art and commercial communication?