The recording starts with an introduction to Milton Glaser by Randy Swearer, dean of Parsons School of Design. Swearer describes Glaser as defining "entire genres of design," especially his work in "institutional identity planning," including the "I Heart New York" design. Swearer says that Glaser has designed over 300 posters, and has worked with the Washington Post, The Nation, the Village Voice, and other publications. He's had one man shows at the Museum of Modern Art, Centre Pompidou, and the Gallery at Lincoln Center.

Glaser shows samples of his work and talks about his process, how this work relates to his broader approach to design, and the larger discussion on illustration. The use of light, issues of authorship and preservation, and the process of design are recurrent themes throughout the lecture. Glaser shows slides of posters, illustrations, books projects, and magazine covers. Glaser has never given a talk on illustration, he says, because he doesn't consider himself an illustrator, but he discusses his reasons for drawing. He relates that all of his design work has been "informed by [his] enthusiasm for drawing." He differentiates between illustration, drawing, and design, referencing the work of Hokusai.