What Is Jacek Utko’s TED Talk “Can Good Design Save Newspapers” About?

Jacek Utko’s 2009 TED Talk, “Can Good Design Save Newspapers,” is a talk by an award-winning print and web designer arguing that strong design can revitalize newspapers. According to utko.com, the talk centers on whether good design can save newspapers, and the video has drawn almost 1.5 million views. It is best understood as both a case for design’s business value in media and a showcase of Utko’s credentials as a speaker and media consultant.

The core question

The title poses the talk’s central question directly: can good design save newspapers? Utko approaches this from his position as a designer and media consultant whose work has been recognized in international competitions. The site describes him as having designs named “World’s Best Designed Newspaper” five times and “European Newspaper of The Year” four times, which is the professional backdrop for the argument.

Why the talk matters

The page frames the TED appearance as a “life changing experience.” It notes that Utko took the stage after Al Gore and Bill Gates, and that Steve Wozniak of Apple congratulated him afterward. The site also says the video reached almost 1.5 million views. These details explain the talk’s reach and its role in establishing Utko’s public profile beyond the design industry.

What it signals about Utko’s work

The TED Talk connects to the services listed on utko.com. The site presents Utko as an award-winning designer and media consultant offering print design, branding and product development, UX/UI design, and keynote speaking or training. The talk supports the speaking side of that profile: the site states he has lectured in 42 countries, from TED and Adobe Max to universities in Japan and an art museum in Atlanta.

Where to find it

The talk is referenced on utko.com under the heading “TED: Can Good Design Save Newspapers,” with the video available to watch from the site. For readers evaluating Utko as a speaker or consultant, the talk is the most direct sample of how he presents design’s impact on media businesses.