How to become the greatest designer in the world?

I have wondered this myself, so I suggest contacting the people who you already admire. For instance, I think Apple Computers have the best graphic designers on the planet, and they are also shareholders with Disney in Pixar (Toy Story, etc.).

Dreamworks (Shrek, etc) is equally good.

Whichever direction you want to go in, ask those who are already there.

excuse me mr.art_

i beg to differ...

salvadore dali was and is considered one of the greatest draftsmen and technicians in the history of the western world...at least according to Picasso. the fact that he showed the world that his genius could be enjoyed by the masses by producing multiples does not lessen his genius and importance.

as for Peter Max...his genius came before his fame. Supergraphics on large aircraft came from his genius. dozens of imitators contributed to his importance. he's kinda the Descartes of graphic design, kinda sorta...

if you want to point to an artist who was skilled at self promotion then Marcel Duchamp ( particularily 'Nude Descending A Staircase') and Man Ray might be your guys...Surrealists redifined art...i think...

what distinguished great designers from the rest was talent and hard work. they had great mentors and associates which helped.

just my opinion

addendumdum...

Marketing.. do you really think that people like Andy Warhol, Picasso, Peter Max, and Dali, etc are the best artists in the whole world? well - no - but they did a lot of art and got it out there. Marketing.