Lupton's writing about design is itself an art. “She's exceptionally adept at both the verbal and the visual, which is not to be taken for granted in this new era of 'designer as author,' an era that she so skillfully pioneered and has inspired many of us to follow suit,” says Chip Kidd. Lucid, sophisticated and free from jargon, her words continue to define the territory of graphic design after deconstruction—using theory not just as a collection of footnotes or an intellectual endgame, but also as a way to bring critical reflection into everyday practice. Abbott Miller concurs, “Ellen has always been interested in writing that is clear and stripped down. She wants to make theory and history relevant to what designers do, making her work a resource for practicing designers as well as a contribution to the discourse of design history.”

In addition to inspiring others to become contributors to the design world, Lupton challenges them to be intellectuals, too. Her conclusion to Thinking with Type offers this typically droll bit of advice: “Think more, design less.” She is this profession's constant reminder to strive for conceptual depth, avoid style over substance and be smarter than we think we can be. palette.