Further Reading Symposium

Posted on by Christina Poth

On April 25th, 2025, the Design Department at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam will host the fourth edition of the Further Reading Symposium, a day dedicated to critical conversations at the intersection of design, language, and accessibility. Under the theme “Designing for Readability”, this year’s event brings together designers, studios, and researchers to examine how design choices influence the way we read, understand, and engage with information.

Focusing on the role of typography, language, and visual communication, the symposium asks important questions about how design can empower rather than exclude. What does it mean to design readable content? How can designers support inclusion through language and form? And how do visual strategies shape our access to knowledge? Kicking off the event, the Further Reading Exhibition: Language and Text as Means of Inclusion will open on April 24th at 6 p.m., in collaboration with the Berliner Typostammtisch. This special opening offers a chance for informal exchange and networking among typography lovers, design professionals, and students alike. The exhibition will highlight work that challenges traditional notions of readability and showcases inclusive design practices from around the world.

The symposium itself will take place on the barrier-free ground floor of the university. Presentations will be held in both German and English and translated into German Sign Language, ensuring accessibility for all attendees. Entry is free and open to all!

Further Reading Symposium—Exploring the Power of Design in Shaping Readability and Inclusion

When?
Friday, April 25th, 2025

Where?
University of Applied Sciences Potsdam,
Design Department, Building D, Studio 003,
Kiepenheuerallee 5,
14469 Potsdam,
Germany

Further information here.

RÅW

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

Currently on view at the Trapholt Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, RÅW by studio Blok Design takes center stage in the international group exhibition “FEEL ME”. Presented as a large-scale, participatory installation, RÅW explores how we navigate emotion in an age defined by constant stimulation and mental exhaustion. Comprised of 24,840 individual pins with over 30 different emotions in both English and Danish, the immersive installation encourages individuals to select a pin that represents how they’re feeling. It invites visitors to turn vulnerability into action—literally wearing their emotions on the outside and becoming part of an ever-evolving emotional landscape.

Part of “FEEL ME”, the largest international exhibition Trapholt has ever hosted, RÅW stands out as an immersive, tactile experience that blurs the lines between audience and artwork. Through touch and movement, participants deconstruct the installation in real time, revealing a raw emotional cartography that exists in the space between bodies, gestures, and moments.

Curated around the intersection of emotion, technology, and physiology, the exhibtion features work by 27 artists and designers from Denmark and around the world. Spanning over 1,000 square meters, the exhibition brings together some of contemporary art’s most thought-provoking voices—including DRIFT, Daniel Wurtzel, Liz West, and Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm.

For Blok Design, RÅW is more than an artwork—it’s an invitation. An open-ended call to feel deeply, to move gently, and to be fully present in a world that so often pushes us toward numbness!

RÅW—Participatory Installation Exploring Emotion, Vulnerability, and Sensory Overload

When?
September 26th, 2024 to December 31st, 2025

Where?
Trapholt Museum of Modern Art,
Æblehaven 23,
DK-6000 Kolding,
Denmark

Further information here.

Typographic Printing Program with Dafi Kühne

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

Looking to get your hands inky and your creative mind fully immersed in the world of typography? The Typographic Printing Program (TPP) is back in 2025 with two incredible sessions in the picturesque town of Näfels, Switzerland—and it’s your chance to experience type like never before.

Founded by acclaimed Swiss poster designer and letterpress printer Dafi Kühne, TPP is a 13-day immersive workshop where progressive design meets traditional tools. This isn’t your average typography class—it’s an intense, hands-on journey into the heart of analog printing. Every exercise is crafted around letterpress printing presses and physical type, allowing participants to explore typography through a process that’s as meticulous as it is inspiring.

Since its launch in 2016, TPP has welcomed over 140 participants from 24 countries, creating a truly global community of type enthusiasts. Whether you’re a student, a seasoned design professional, or a faculty member looking to deepen your craft, this program offers the time, space, and equipment—over 30 tons of letterpress machinery—to fully immerse yourself in the world of type.

Expect a rigorous and rewarding curriculum covering everything from type theory, history, and semantic typography to physical typesetting, layout composition, and letterpress production. It’s all about slowing down, thinking deeply, and embracing the tactile side of design in a fast-paced digital world. TPP is open to creatives of all levels—the only requirement? A serious drive to work hard and explore new ideas.

Typographic Printing Program with Dafi Kühne

When?
Session I: Sunday, June 29th to Saturday, July 12th, 2025
Session II: Sunday, July 27th to Saturday, August 9th, 2025

Where?
Näfels, Switzerland

Further information here.

munich creative business week 2025

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

How can design help us build stronger, more connected communities? In a time marked by social fragmentation, political tension, and rapid technological change, this question feels more urgent than ever. The 2025 edition of munich creative business week (mcbw) dives headfirst into this challenge with the theme: “How to design a vibrant community.”

Organized by bayern design, mcbw is Germany’s largest design event and a dynamic platform for ideas, innovation, and exchange. From May 10 to 18, 2025, Munich will host a city-wide celebration of creativity and conversation—bringing together design professionals, thought leaders, and the public to explore how design can inspire empathy, foster participation, and create meaningful change. The idea is simple: the challenges we face—climate change, social division, digital transformation—can only be tackled together. What does that require? Openness, curiosity, collaboration, and a renewed sense of community.

Throughout the week, around 200 events and installations will activate public spaces across the city. From interactive exhibitions and creative workshops to talks and pop-up experiences, mcbw is more than a design conference—it’s an invitation to co-create the future. The program speaks not only to professionals in design and architecture but also to a broad audience of curious citizens. With contributions ranging from scientific deep dives to playful interventions, it invites participants to discuss, explore, and connect with one another. At the heart of the event is the mcbw Festival Center, a lively hub for spontaneous conversations, collaborative thinking, and new ideas. Munich itself becomes a stage for creative expression and social engagement, reflecting the core belief that design should not only be seen—it should be experienced, shared, and lived.

A highlight of the week is the mcbw design summit on May 12, 2025. Instead of relying on a single keynote, this year’s summit gathers six international Creative Explorers to present different perspectives on the year’s theme: Tim Brown (IDEO), Kim Dabbs (Steelcase), Alona Kharachenko (Ukrainian designer and activist), Ezio Manzini (expert in sustainable and social design), Ana Relvão (Relvãokellermann), and Carsten Waldeck (SHIFT).

A few additional standout events show how design fosters connection—across spaces, disciplines, and communities. “Take a Seat!” invites people to gather around a 23-meter-long table that only lights up when at least two sit together—turning interaction into illumination. Nearby, “Designblok Cosmos” surrounds visitors with mirrored walls and Czech glass design, creating an otherworldly space for reflection and inspiration. At the DIVE’25 conference, experts from design, politics, and science come together to explore how design can drive real-world change. And in a talk by “der Freitag”, the redesign of their digital platform becomes a case study in how design shapes identity, meaning, and media for a progressive future.

mcbw 2025 is an open invitation to rethink how we live, work, and interact—and to do so together. Whether you’re a creative professional, a student, a policymaker, or simply someone interested in shaping the future, this is your chance to engage, reflect, and take part in a week where design is not just on display, but alive in the city!

munich creative business week 2025

When?
May 10th, 2025 to May 18th, 2025

Where?
mcbw Festival Center and various other locations in Munich,
Ruffinistore inside Ruffinihaus,
Rindermarkt 10,
80331 Munich,
Germany

Further information here.

© Pictures by LÉROT, bayern design, Studio Olaf Becker, Luca Phil Franze LPF Photo, Vaclav Jirasek, Sintesi Labs Design, Propylea

OFFF Festival 2025

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

Get ready for OFFF Festival 2025! The world’s leading festival for creativity, art, and digital design is back for its monumental 25th edition! From May 8th to 10th, Disseny Hub Barcelona will transform into the ultimate creative hub, bringing together over 70 visionary minds who are pushing the boundaries of design, motion, AI, and digital culture.

Expect groundbreaking talks, immersive workshops, and exclusive sessions from the world’s top industry giants, including DixonBaxi, Marina Willer, Mat Voyce, Ines Alpha, Territory Studio, and many more. With a stellar lineup of creatives, this year promises to be bigger, bolder, and more forward-thinking than ever before. OFFF is where ideas ignite, boundaries blur, and the future of design is reimagined. From inspiring talks to hands-on workshops and interactive experiences, this is the place where you’ll be challenged, inspired, and connected with like-minded creatives.

With over 70 talks from top creatives, 20+ workshops and masterclasses, the latest design tools, a buzzing design market, and fun zones filled with food, music, and sunshine, OFFF 2025 will be an unforgettable experience!

When?
Thursday, May 8th to Saturday, May 10th, 2025

Where?
Disseny Hub Barcelona
Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, 37-38
08018 Barcelona
Spain

Speakers:
Aixsponza, Alex Center, Anna Ginsburg, Antfood, Baxter & Bailey, Bienal, Boldtron, Brendan McGetrick x Majed Al Mansoori, Brosmind, Caserne, Claire Blyth, Collins, Creative Review, Cris Busquets, Danae Gosset, Digital Kitchen, DixonBaxi, Domestic Dara Streamers, Emily Bisset x Robert Hranitzky, FIELD.IO, Filipe Carvalho, Hadrien Chatelet x TBC, Hato, HUB Montréal, Ines Alpha, Joe Perez x Kelly Korzun, Julia Hoffmann, Lauren Hartstone, Marina Willer, Marshmallow Laser Feast, Mat Voyce, Melt, Mr Bingo, Musketon, Nathalie Van Sasse Van Ysselt, Niceaunties, Ouchhh, Paul Trillo, Philip Lück. PichiAvo, Pokras Lampas, Samar Maakaroun, Studio Lucas Hesse, Summa Branding, Territory Studio, Yippiehey, Yuko Shimizu and Domien De Witte

Further information here.

Design Month Graz 2025

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

Design Month Graz is back for its 2025 edition, and this year’s theme, The New Real, promises to dive deep into the ongoing transformations in design, technology, and society. From May 9th to June 1st, Graz will be the epicenter of engaging discussions, innovative exhibitions, hands-on workshops, and thought-provoking installations.

As artificial intelligence accelerates and technology reshapes every aspect of our lives, The New Real is a timely exploration of what it means to be human in a rapidly evolving world. What happens to human creativity when machines can design, create, and problem-solve faster than ever before? How are business models and industries adapting to this technological shift? And perhaps most importantly, what responsibilities do those creating immersive digital worlds have in shaping the future?

A highlight of this year’s event is the POSTER REX project by our own Lars Harmsen and Markus Lange, who will showcase a new poster series as a counterpoint to populist propaganda. The duo’s work serves as a reminder that design is never neutral—it always reflects value, ideologies, and power structures of the time. Their live screen-printing workshop, featuring collaboration with students from FH JOANNEUM and Ukrainian artists, will offer attendees a hands-on look at the creative process. POSTER REX has grown into a global movement since its inception in 2014, creating over 3,000 hand-printed posters on topics of political and social importance. The project continues to push the boundaries of design, using it as a tool for protest and social change.

Join us in Graz for Design Month 2025 and dive into the conversation about what The New Real means for the future of design, technology, and creativity!

Design Month Graz 2025—The New Real

When?
May 9th, 2025 to June 1st, 2025

Where?
Hornig Areal and various other locations in and around Graz,
Waagner-Biro-Straße 39,
8020 Graz,
Austria

Further information here.

Illo—Coinshares Motion Series

Posted on by illo.tv

Cryptocurrency and blockchain can often feel like an overwhelming and complicated subject for those unfamiliar with the space. But illo’s latest motion design series, created in collaboration with CoinShares, a leading player in the crypto ETP space, is here to change that narrative. By using dynamic grids, bold abstraction, and procedural motion, illo makes the complex world of crypto more accessible, turning financial concepts like ETPs (Exchange Traded Products) and blockchain into clear and engaging visuals.

The challenge was to craft a visual language that was both dynamic and structured—something that could convey intricate financial principles without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. To achieve this, they turned to Cavalry, a tool known for its parametric capabilities. This enabled the team to create smooth, oscillating motions and modular animations that maintained consistency across episodes, while visually reinforcing the core principles of crypto investing.

The motion design is rooted in CoinShares’ brand identity, with grids and fluid motion metaphors that transform abstract financial concepts into intuitive visuals. One standout feature is the use of nested squares, symbolizing assets within a portfolio—a simple but effective metaphor that instantly conveys the concept of diversification. Each episode in the series is also framed by a signature intro and outro sequence. Smooth color transitions set the tone for the content, while grid distortions mimic the ever-changing nature of the market, subtly reinforcing the volatility of crypto investments. This thoughtful approach creates a seamless viewing experience that makes understanding crypto investment feel more intuitive.

Through this collaboration, illo has managed to take complex financial systems and turn them into something that’s both visually engaging and educational. In doing so, they’ve made the world of cryptocurrency not just more accessible, but also much more compelling to explore!

Further information here.

CXI Conference 2025

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

Get ready for CXI 2025! Europe’s largest Corporate and Brand Identity conference returns on June 6th for its 15th edition! Since 2009, CXI has been the ultimate event where companies and agencies collaborate to showcase their most innovative branding projects.

What makes a Corporate or Brand Identity project successful? What criteria are important for both clients and agencies, and how can such a complex process be successfully executed? These questions are at the core of the conference, where both sides—clients and agencies—come together to share the development and journey of their projects. Presenting from different perspectives but with a shared goal, they provide insights into the challenges, solutions, and results of each project, revealing the full complexity of the process and the decisions that drive it.

The 2025 edition promises an exciting program with diverse agencies, brands, and projects. The conference will be held in collaboration with the Hochschule Bielefeld and the corporate identity institut, and is now the largest European Corporate and Brand Identity conference with over 1,400 attendees.

Make sure not to miss out, as tickets tend to sell out fast! Get your ticket here!

When?
June 6th 2025

Where?
Rudolf-Oetker-Halle
Lampingstraße 16
33615 Bielefeld
Germany

Speakers:
Dr. Kristin Hanusch-Linser, Jella Hauptmann, Peer Hempel, Erik Herrström, Nico Horvath, Tom Hoßfeld, Charlie Scheichenost, Guido Schmidt, Christian Sonnberger, Bibiane Wimbauer, Rosie Isbell, Luke Woodhouse

Further information here.

Making of Slanted Magazine #45—Sex

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

Coming Soon  🚀 Slanted Magazine #45—Sex is in production, and it’s going to be bold, raw, and visually stunning! This issue dives into sexuality, gender, and body politics—challenging norms and reshaping perspectives through powerful artistic publications and critical essays. Featuring stunning cover artwork by Guillaume Kashima, it makes a statement before you even open it.

Created in collaboration with Munich’s Archive Artist Publications (AAP) and guided by the vision of Hubert Kretschmer, this issue draws from an unparalleled collection of over 89,988 rare zines, booklets, and posters—a true treasure trove of self-expression and resistance.

Produced with high-quality papers from Metapaper, the magazine doesn’t just look incredible—it feels amazing in your hands. Printed in CMYK and spot colors by Stober Medien, with open thread-stitching by Buchbinderei Spinner that highlights its unique character—every detail has been crafted to perfection.

Get ready for a fearless exploration of desire, power, and the politics of visibility. Preorder your copy—either as a single issue or together with a set of four printed art prints by Guillaume Kashima—or subscribe to Slanted Magazine to never miss an issue!

Magazine 🔗
Magazine + Special Edition 🔗
Subscription 🔗

Slanted Magazine #45—Sex

Publisher: Slanted Publishers
Editor: Slanted Publishers, Samira Niedermayer
Design: Slanted Publishers
Cover artwork: Guillaume Kashima
Release: April 2025
Format: 16 × 24 cm
Volume: 224 pages
Language: English
Paper: Bindakote Chromolux 300 gsm (cover), Extramatt Recycling 120 gsm, Rough Air 100 gsm (inside) by Metapaper
Printing: Offset printing with spot colors by Stober Medien
Workmanship: Softcover with open thread-stitching by Buchbinderei Spinner
ISBN: 978-3-948440-83-1
Price: €22.– 

Open Call: Fight for Kindness 2025

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

The Fight for Kindness initiative is back for its fourth edition, inviting designers from all over the globe to use their craft to spread messages of kindness through typography. Since its inception, this non-profit project led by TypeCampus has grown into a powerful movement, featuring over 646 participants, 24 global exhibitions, and numerous workshops and awards. Each year, it brings together emerging and established talent, all united by a common goal: to foster a culture of kindness through design.

In a time when the world faces complex challenges, Fight for Kindness encourages designers to reflect on how their work can create positive change. The focus is on using typography not just to convey information, but to inspire action and shift perspectives in a meaningful way. At the heart of the campaign are typographic posters, created by talented designers around the world, which celebrate World Kindness Day on November 13th. These posters go beyond aesthetics—they are vehicles for spreading powerful messages of compassion, unity, and hope.

The 2025 call for typographic submissions is now open, inviting designers from all disciplines to join the movement! Sponsored by the Italian type foundry Zetafonts and in collaboration with other key partners, Fight for Kindness offers an opportunity to showcase work in a multi-location exhibition and contribute to a global conversation about the power of kindness.

So, pick up your pen or open your laptop—your next design could help inspire the kindness the world so desperately needs!

Further information here.

Fight for Kindness: The Creative Call for Typographic Posters 

When?
The deadline for submissions for the 2025 edition is May 31st, 2025.

Where?
Exhibitions will be worldwide, early in November.

Credits: Cosystem Design, Vasjen Katro aka. Baugasm, Ariane Spanier, Kinda Ghannoum, Goodbyeniki 

Collective Cosmo: SET v.26

Posted on by stefan hauser

Na Kim is a Berlin-based artist and designer whose work blends graphic design, art, and curatorial practices. Her latest exhibition Collective Cosmo: SET v.26 builds on Kim’s ongoing SET series, which she has been developing since 2015. In this series, she draws from her own visual vocabulary—color, pattern, typography, and graphic elements—referencing her archive of design work in applied contexts. This visual lanuage is explored further in her monograph SET by Roma Publications.

For Kim, SET is both a stage and a collection—a compilation of objects, images, actions, and sounds that are thematically or conceptually connected. The works serve as representations of her creative influences, leaving room for viewers to interpret their meanings. At the center of SET v.26 is an exploration of fragmented wall paintings, which Kim and her students reinterpret as canvas pieces. These works, which Kim refers to as “Pieces,” serve both as memories of past projects and as independent new creations, prompting reflection on questions of authorship, the definition of design and art, as well as the connection between objects, signs and our ideas about things. The collaboration with students bridges individual and collective creative practices, adding depth to the exploration of design as both a personal and shared endeavor.

Her exploration of visual systems and everyday elements challenges traditional boundaries, and her contributions to major design events reflect her commitment to rethinking art and design!

Na Kim, Collective Cosmo: SET v.26

When?
April 9th, 2025 to April 29th, 2025

Where?
Gallery of the HBKsaar
Keplerstraße 3–5
66117 Saarbrücken

Further information here.

PEACE&PROTEST DINGBATS

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

PEACE&PROTEST DINGBATS is a bold, politically-charged project created by Un Mundo Feliz, with design and conceptual contributions from Estudio Ponce Contreras and designer Najib Belali. This dynamic work blends three distinct elements: a sticker bombing campaign, a fanzine, and a striking dingbat font. At its core, it poses a deeply resonant question inspired by Thomas Hirshhorn: Can art and design present alternative ways of understanding the world?

The answer, it seems, is not just in the work itself, but in its very construction. The project uses the iconic peace symbol as its foundation, remixing it with an array of graphic themes through the method of pictomontage. This technique, coined “Pictoshophy”, involves juxtaposing binary pairs of visual code signs to create cross-meanings that challenge our preconceptions. The result is a series of bold, emotional, and often contradictory visuals that demand attention and critical thinking.

For Un Mundo Feliz, design isn’t just about form; it’s about thought. The imagery they create is an act of cognition, a radical transmission of ideas that challenges you to engage with the world in a more meaningful way. These pictomontages are not just images; they are a call to arms, a visual representation of activism in action. And much like the powerful movements they align with, the work continues to provoke, question, and inspire change. So, whether you’re discovering the peace symbol reimagined in new, unexpected ways or reflecting on the critical undertones of each piece, PEACE&PROTEST DINGBATS invites you into a world where design becomes a tool for transformation!

How Communication Design Works

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

The manual How communication design works / Was Kommunikationsdesign kann (versions in English and German available) offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolving field of communication design, addressing its challenges and societal relevance in the contemporary landscape.

The discipline of communication design is undergoing significant changes: an overwhelming flood of information, artificial intelligence, social media, easily accessible graphic tools, as well as increasing pressure on efficiency and costs—all of these factors put communication designers under pressure, leaving little time for reflection on their own actions. In these circumstances, more than ever, a broad education and a look into areas beyond one’s own profession are required.

This manual responds to the current situation by aligning the societal relevance of the discipline with professional practice. Through examples and actionable insights, the authors highlight what matters in visual communication today. They describe the significant integration of design with diverse fields and extensively address current challenges. Furthermore, they delve into the criteria that constitute good design.

The overarching motif throughout is this: communication design is always the result of the attitudes of its practitioners. It is in their hands to determine how their actions influence communication, convey values, and shape our visual world.

How Communication Design Works—Principles, Inspirations & Challenges

Publisher: Niggli Verlag
Editors: Ulysses Voelker, Michael Schmitz
Release: August 2024
Format: 17,5 × 25 cm
Volume: 336 pages
Language: German, English
Workmanship: Hardcover book
ISBN: 978-3-7212-1042-2 (DE), 978-3-7212-1040-8 (EN)
Price: €49.90

BUY HERE! 

© Pictures by Ulysses Voelker and Michael Schmitz

Support Independent Type II

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

Support Independent Type II is s the highly anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed 2020 book Support Independent Type. The second edition continues to celebrate the vibrant culture of independent type specimens and their influence on design and typography. It serves as both a manifesto and a visual showcase, featuring over 300 cutting edge type foundries—all offering a promising alternative to corporate font distributors. With this large number of type foundries, the book showcases a diverse range of fonts—from experimental designs to bold, groundbreaking fonts that push the boundaries of the traditional.

The book goes further into the world of type specimens—revealing new trends, showcasing innovative designs, and presenting the book itself as a visual art object. Through this carefully curated collection, the authors emphasize how independent type design reflects cultural shifts and sparks creative innovation.

– A curated collection of type specimens, spanning digital formats, printed works, and tactile type objects
– Insight into new trends and groundbreaking innovations in typography
– A bold exploration of how independent type foundries challenge corporate font distributors and reflect broader cultural shifts

Support Independent Type II is a deep dive into the passion and craft of independent type design and an essential resource for graphic designers, creative directors, or anyone obsessed with type!

Support Independent Type II

Editors & Design: Lars Harmsen, Marian Misiak, Pola Małaczewska
Publisher: Slanted Publishers
Release: March 2025
Format: 21 × 27 cm
Volume: 288 pages
Language: English
Paper: uncoated and transparent high quality papers by Reflex paper
Printing: Offset printing with spot colors by Stober Medien
Workmanship: Softcover with open thread-stitching, dust jacket
Bookbinding: Buchbinderei Spinner
ISBN: 978-3-948440-82-4
Price: €42.– 

BUY HERE!

DIVE’25

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

DIVE’25, happening for the first time from May 8-10, 2025, is a dynamic design conference focused on exploring the social, ecological, and cultural impact of design. Bringing together over 80 thought leaders from design, politics, business, and science, this conference invites you to engage in conversations about how design can drive meaningful change in society and beyond. It is organized by Deutschen Designtag e.V. and Designtag Servicegesellschaft, in close collaboration with the Munich Creative Business Week (MCBW) and its organizer bayern design.

It goes beyond the basics of design, offering a deeper look at how it can be used as a tool for transformation. Whether through keynotes, panels, workshops, or roundtable discussions, DIVE’25 creates a space for fresh ideas, practical solutions, and real-world applications of design that address today’s most pressing challenges. You’ll hear from experts, participate in workshops, and get the chance to contribute to discussions that push the boundaries of what design can achieve.

As a result, a diverse group of professionals, from top designers to policymakers, business leaders, and researchers is attracted. It’s an opportunity to connect with people who understand the potential of design to shape the future and tackle global issues! DIVE’25 is more than just a conference—it’s a central meeting point for the design community to explore the potential of design for business, society, politics, and culture.

DIVE’25—Design meets politics, business and society

When?
Thursday, May 8th to Saturday, May 10th, 2025

Where?
Fat Cat
Rosenheimer Straße 5
81667 München

Further information here.

100 Beste Plakate 24

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

The results are in for the 100 Beste Plakate 24 competition, and we’re excited to give you a sneak peek at some of the winning posters and poster series from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland! After the final jury session held on February 27th and 28th, 2025, at the Media House of the University of the Arts Berlin, the winning designs were selected. These exceptional pieces will be celebrated in both an exhibition and a yearbook, which will be available starting mid-June 2025.

This year’s competition attracted a diverse range of submissions, with a total of 711 entrants submitting 2,509 posters. Among these, 34 posters from Germany, 63 from Switzerland, and 3 from Austria received recognition. The jury, made up of international experts Adeline Mollard (Switzerland), Anouk Rehorek (Austria), Hans Günter Schmitz (Germany), Stephanie Specht (Belgium), and Jonas Wandeler (Switzerland), began the process with an online pre-selection. Following this, the jury met in person to finalize the winners, who were selected from a pool of 711 posters—230 individual posters and 130 poster series, totaling 481 pieces, submitted by 243 entrants.

The exhibition will open at the Kulturforum, part of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, on June 12th, 2025. From there, the exhibition will embark on a tour, with stops in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Korea, and other locations. This exciting journey will showcase the finest in contemporary poster design, with details and updates available on the competition’s website and social media channels. We’re thrilled to announce that Slanted will be publishing the 100 Beste Plakate 24 yearbook, designed by the talented team at Tristesse. We can’t wait to share this publication, which will feature all the winning posters from the competition. It’s a project we’re incredibly excited about, and we’re looking forward to the collaboration as well as seeing the final selection of posters come together.

The complete set of winning posters will be revealed at the opening of the exhibition, marking the beginning of a celebration of visual creativity and design excellence. Stay tuned for more details and don’t miss your chance to experience the best posters of 2024!

Further information here.

© Key Visuals: Tristesse

Posters (from top to bottom):

Pommes und Chlor
Helene Dennewitz/100 Beste Plakate e. V., for Bauhaus Universität Weimar

Tell 24
Megi Zumstein, Lina Müller, Luca Schenardi/100 Beste Plakate e. V., for Tellspielgesellschaft Altdorf

Gebietsentwicklung Kleinmatt-/Bireggstrasse
Erich Brechbühl/100 Beste Plakate e. V., for Stadt Luzern

Doppelausstellung Jota Mombaça & Steffani Jemison
Robert Huber/100 Beste Plakate e. V., for Centre d’Art Contemporain Genève

Staatstheater Mainz – Was ihr wollt
Neue Gestaltung: Anna Bühler, Nina Odzinieks, Pit Stenkhoff, Imari Yasmin Moxter/100 Beste Plakate e. V., for Staatstheater Mainz

abk Kommunikationsdesign Workshops
Julius Geyer, Kathleen Bäcker, Emma Dreiucker, Max Reichert/100 Beste Plakate e. V., for Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart

Berlin Summer University 2025
Gerrit Ludwig/100 Beste Plakate e. V., for Universität der Künste Berlin

Spicy Bitter

Posted on by Riccardo Carrara

Spicy Bitter, a self-published book by London-based photographer Anna-Sophia John and graphic designer Riccardo Carrara, delves into the vibrant world of radicchio through a series of striking still life images. The duo’s collaboration transforms this simple vegetable into a captivating visual study. It is not mere admiration but an obsessive investigation, a prolonged engagement with something as seemingly mundane as a radicchio until it transcends its own identity. The repetition of angles, close-ups, and distortions resists resolution, transforming the vegetable into something alien and unfamiliar.

The book’s layout enhances this theme, with varying page sizes and unexpected juxtapositions that reflect the natural, unpredictable flow of the vegetable. These design choices not only emphasize the visual impact of the images but also create a sense of surprise and discovery throughout the book. Spicy Bitter becomes more than just a collection of photographs; it is a dialogue between form, color, and texture—inviting viewers to engage with both the subject and the creative process in new and meaningful ways.  This relentless scrutiny raises larger questions about perception itself. Is this work truly about the vegetable, or is it about what happens when a subject is examined to the brink of abstraction?

Spicy Bitter—A Dialogue Between Color, Texture, and Obsession

Publisher: Anna-Sophia John, Riccardo Carrara
Editors: Anna-Sophia John, Riccardo Carrara
Design: Riccardo Carrara
Release: March 2025
Format: 24 × 30 cm
Volume: 60 pages
Language: English
Printing: G.F. Smith Paper
Workmanship: Softback
ISBN: 978-1-0369-1039-6
Price: £40.– (UK)

Further information here.

Impact Type

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

The recently published book Impact Type written by Sophie Wietlisbach, explores the history behind the Swiss typewriter typefaces and the historical context in which they were produced.

Between the 1940s and the 1990s, three companies from Northwest Switzerland produced typefaces for typewriters: Caractères SA, Setag, and Novatype. For over fifty years, they supplied major office machine manufacturers in Europe and around the world, such as IBM, Remington, Olivetti, Paillard-Hermès, and Triumph-Adler. These three companies, holding a leading position in the global market, played a significant role in the design, development, and production of type components and fonts for typewriters and all types of impact printers. These visually distinctive typefaces continue to play an important role in today’s typographic scene.

The richly illustrated publication, featuring detailed portraits of Caractères SA, Setag, and Novatype, explores the history behind these typefaces and the historical context in which they were produced. When the three Swiss companies closed in the 1990s, most of their archives were destroyed. This book brings together documents and information gathered through years of research in numerous locations, containing unpublished visuals and shedding light on a lesser-known part of industrial and typographic history on both local and international levels.

Impact Type—Manufacturing Type for Typewriters in Switzerland, 1941–1997

Publisher: Triest Verlag
Editor: Sophie Wietlisbach, with contributions by Roland Früh & Davide Fornari
Design: Sophie Wietlisbach
Release: February 2025
Format: 24 × 16,3 cm
Volume: 224 pages
Language: English
Workmanship: Softcover binding

ISBN: 978-3-03863-088-3
Price: €29.– (DE)

Further Information here.

Now More Than Ever

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

The editorial project Now More Than Ever marks the third edition of the Fight for Kindness non-profit campaign. In 2024, this project expanded globally, featuring 12 exhibitions and digital showcases in eight countries: Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Egypt, the United States, and Indonesia.

Typography possesses a unique power to convey messages that inspire change. As both an art form and a tool, it transforms ideas into visual experiences. Now More Than Ever aims to celebrate this potential, demonstrating how designers worldwide use typographic creativity to promote kindness as a driving force for social change.

This publication gathers works created in this context, from emerging talents to more established names, highlighting how the campaign united a vast international community of creators. It includes over 450 works by 355 participants in 23 languages and writing systems. The collection features posters and messages from some of today’s most renowned and influential creatives, including the author of the famous podcast Design Matters: Debbie Millman; Ariane Spanier; Héctor Ayuso: founder of Offf Barcelona and Paradiso Fest; Baugasm; Kiel DM: the creator of the Space Type Generator project; Simone Massoni; Kinda Ghannoum and Hala Al Afsaa from the Syrian Design Archive; and the talented Ukrainian designer Kateryna Korolevtseva. The book also includes four exclusive interviews and a typographic lookbook showcasing the fonts used within its pages.

Now More Than Ever—Typographic Posters on Kindness From Around the World

Publisher: The Printing Office
Editors: Debora Manetti, Shrishti Vajpai, Typecampus & Zetafonts
Design: Shrishti Vajpai
Release: February 2024
Format: 17.5 × 23 cm
Volume: 352 pages
Language: English
Workmanship: Softcover with flaps
ISBN: 978-88-98030-78-1
Price: €29.– 

Further information here.

Making of Support Independent Type II

Posted on by Julia Kahl

We couldn’t be happier with the production of Support Independent Type II! It not only celebrates the vibrant world of independent type design, it beautifully showcases the craftsmanship and high quality of our trusted partners: Druckerei Stober for printing, Buchbinderei Spinner for binding, and Reflex for their premium paper. A true celebration of materiality and precision!

One of the book’s highlights is the semi-transparent paper IBO, which interacts with the layers beneath—most notably on the dust jacket. We also took a bold step by printing white and black colors on a fully transparent paper, and the result is simply stunning! This level of detail and experimentation is only possible when all collaborators work together so seamlessly.

💥 Special Preorder Bonus! 💥
Preorder now and get the exclusive Tor Grotesk Mix typeface family by Marian Misiak (Threedotstype)—completely FREE! Featured throughout the book’s design, this playful and experimental type family includes 3 regular weights with unique punctuation + 1 variable font. This offer is available only until the book’s official release on March 26th, 2025—don’t miss out!

Support Independent Type II

Editors & Design: Lars Harmsen, Marian Misiak, Pola Małaczewska
Publisher: Slanted Publishers
Release: March 2025
Format: 21 × 27 cm
Volume: 288 pages
Language: English
Paper: uncoated and transparent high quality papers by Reflex paper
Printing: Offset printing with spot colors by Stober Medien
Workmanship: Softcover with open thread-stitching, dust jacket
Bookbinding: Buchbinderei Spinner
ISBN: 978-3-948440-82-4
Price: €42.–

Buy Here

TypeParis Now 25

Posted on by Linus Haug

Type Paris Now25 is the annual conference in Paris that brings together art directors, graphic designers, type designers, all passionate about good design and quality typography. Slanted will provide coverage of Now25 as media partners.

It is important to create platforms that allow different design disciplines to share their passion for typography in everyday practice. Attendees are invited to come to Paris on Saturday, May 31, 2025, to hear a range of inspiring speakers discussing topics as diverse as graphic design, web design, motion design, publishing, visual identity, communication, and type design.

Designing a good typeface is just one part of the picture. The real focus is on designing with type. Understanding typography’s purpose is crucial—how graphic designers and art directors use it, how they work with it, transform it, break it, and most importantly, communicate with it. At Now25, the aim is to explore how typography visibly impacts the world around us.

The international speakers for Now25 will represent various spheres of the graphic design and typography world. Speakers and Workshop leaders include Anni Seligmann Studio Mut, Tyrsa, Ariane Spanier, Mathilde Vallée, Tina Touli, Rachel Joy Price, Lucas Sharp SharpType, Veronika Burian Typetogether, Mathieu Réguer, etc.

Attention, Slanted readers! Unlock a €40 discount on regular tickets with coupon code SLANTEDNOW25. Redeem during checkout at Now25. Offer valid until March 31st, 2025. Don’t miss out!

TypeParis Now 25

When?
Saturday May 31st, 2025

Where?
Novotel Paris Vaugirard Montparnasse
257 rue de Vaugirard , Paris

Further information here.

Mut zur Wut 2025

Posted on by Mut zur Wut e.V.

Once again this year, Mut zur Wut with it’s 13th edition is deliberately turning public space into a stage for visual resistance! From March 1st to April 30th, you can submit your posters to this international competition at their website.

The world is in a turbulent phase. Power dynamics are shifting and the media landscape is ablaze. In times like these, keeping a level head and focusing on solutions can be challenging—but it’s never been more crucial. As creatives, we hold a unique gift: the ability to communicate across boundaries—transcending language, culture, age and ideology. Instead of letting frustration and anger drive us to extremes, let’s transform that energy into compelling visuals that ignite dialogue and inspire progress.

So go for it—be daring, be inventive, be true!

The jury is looking forward for an amazing range of submissions this year from all over the world. And as always, submitting is 100% free and super easy—just upload your poster onto the contest’s website. The 30 most striking designs will be showcased in public spaces across different cities from mid-July to the end of August 2025, plus in multiple exhibitions worldwide!

Mut zur Wut 2025

Deadline: April 30th, 2025
Design: Daniel Wiesmann with Robert Radziejewski
Jury 2023: Rejane Dal Bello (Brasil), Cihan Tamti (Germany), Martyna Wedzicka (Poland), Jean-Michel Géridan (France), Ming Yi (China)
The jury will gather in Heidelberg on the second weekend of May, and winners will be contacted shortly after.

Submit your work here

You can find all information about the call for entries and the submission process on the website and can also download it. For further information, Mut zur Wut will keep you updated on their facebook-page, Instagram, and Mut zur Wut.

Road Works Zine

Posted on by Luna Șenyurt

Road works is an experimental & variable typeface based on the unpredictable nature of road cracks. This font serves as a visual exploration of our ever-changing environment, drawing endless inspiration from the world we navigate daily. It features five stylistic sets in both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. Letters are replaced randomly, but users can control these variations by manually selecting specific glyphs. Each letter is a unique depiction of a road crack, with the “O” designed to resemble road hatches, and various symbols reflecting road markings.

Road Works Zine serves as both a typeface specimen and a license to use the font. On the back of each zine is a poster showcasing the typeface in action. There are eight different variations for the zine’s back, each created by one of eight collaborating designers, bringing their own visual language and perspective to them. The cover is designed as a red and white crosswalk, symbolizing a physical or metaphorical crossing point for creative exploration.

Road Works

Idea & font design:  Olya Kuzovkina
Motion design: Serhii Serbin
Photos: Nataliia Azarkina
Poster designers: Alex Babariko, Vika Hermanenko, Vlad Boyko, Zhenia Katashynska, Maryna Zevako, Oleksii Salnykov, Olla Kuzovkina, Svitlana Korniienko

BUY HERE!

Gonzaï Journal #3

Posted on by Quentin Hourie

In December 2024, Gonzaï made a strong statement with the cover of its third edition Gonzaï Journal #3. This political and feminist issue features a look back at Elon Musk’s Excesses, an investigation into the role of women in rock, an interview with the Front des Musiques Indépendantes, a debate on black metal and a striking portrait of a transgender wrestler in Mexico. All of this guaranteed free of adverts, except the fake ones: a signature of the newspaper.

Designed by Quentin Hourie, Gonzaï Journal #3 stands out with its unique style, inspired by tabloid aesthetics: a bold two-colour print and set in News No. 2 and Etrusco Now.

Gonzaï Journal #3

Publisher: Gonzaï Media
Designer: Quentin Hourie
Volume: 44 pages
Format: 30 × 40 cm
Language: French
Production/Finishing: black + Pantone, offset printing, saddle stitch binding, uncoated paper
ISSN: 2268-8536
Price: €10.– (FR)

To subscribe or purchase this issue, go visit the Gonzaï website or Ulule page.