Don Draper: Not That Simple, But Incredibly Significant.

Quotes & Context, 4.

“Make it simple, but significant.”

Don Draper, Mad Men (Season 4, Episode 6).

The Story Behind The Words

Don Draper is one of my favourite characters of all time. I've learned a lot from him, so he definitely deserves to be quoted, especially with this line, which has become one of my core principles in life.

When he said these words, his life was anything but simple, and completely meaningless. He had just been awarded a Clio for an ad he didn’t create, and just as he said them, he was stealing an idea for another ad. He was drunk most of the time, living in a dirty apartment, and sleeping around. He was lost.

The words "simple and significant" reappeared two episodes later, but in a completely different context.

The episode, titled The Summer Man, finds Don trying to regain control of his life. After some difficult and painful soul-searching, he starts writing a journal, swimming every day, and cutting back on drinking.

During this episode, the creative team is working on a campaign for a…