ARTCORE SKINWORKS—The Story of a Piercer

In her Bachelor Thesis ARTCORE SKINWORKS—The Story of a Piercer, Tessa Rebecca Breuer delves into the life and legacy of “the one and only” Thomas Müller, a figure deeply entrenched in the world of punk and piercings. Her book offers a compelling exploration of Müller’s journey, tracing the evolution of a subculture through a unique blend of historical artifacts, personal narratives, and contemporary insights.

The book is divided into four distinct parts, each shedding light on different aspects of Müller’s life and the piercing community he has influenced. The first section serves as a visual time capsule, presenting a collection of old photographs, logos, flyers, and other materials from the past. These items are not just nostalgic remnants; they are carefully curated artworks that capture the raw energy and DIY spirit of the punk movement that Müller was part of.

The second part of ARTCORE SKINWORKS features an extensive interview with Thomas Müller. In this candid conversation, Müller reflects on his past, sharing stories from his days in the punk scene and offering insights into how he became a prominent figure in the piercing world. His reflections provide a personal and intimate view of his journey, bridging the gap between the rebellious youth he once was and the established professional he is today.

The narrative then shifts to the present, where Breuer explores the Artcore Piercing Studio through a mix of digital and analog photography. This section captures the essence of the studio as it stands today, highlighting the contrasts between the past and the present. Breuer also shares her own story, recounting how she unexpectedly became the shop manager of Artcore despite having no prior experience with piercings. Her perspective adds depth to the narrative, offering a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of navigating an unfamiliar world.

In addition to the main narrative, Tessa Breuer includes a supplementary booklet that offers a broader exploration of the world of piercing. This booklet covers the cultural background of piercings, different types of piercings, the piercing process, and the various variations and extremes within the practice. It serves as an informative companion to the personal stories and historical context presented in the main book.

Breuer’s creative vision extends beyond the book itself. She has created two colorful posters of the piercing chairs at Artcore, which also serve as the book’s dust jacket. These posters are vibrant, eye-catching pieces that reflect the unique aesthetic of the studio. Additionally, Breuer has curated an exhibition of analog photographs taken at Artcore, showcasing moments and details not included in the book. As a final touch, she has designed a sheet of temporary tattoos featuring designs inspired by old materials and her own drawings, offering readers a tangible connection to the world she has so carefully documented.

Through this multifaceted work, Tessa Rebecca Breuer not only chronicles the life of Thomas Müller but also celebrates the enduring spirit of punk and the art of piercing. Her book is a testament to the power of self-expression and the lasting impact of a subculture that continues to evolve and inspire.

ARTCORE SKINWORKS—The Story of a Piercer

Bachelor Thesis 2023/24
Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Communication Design
Volume: 208 pages
Format: 18 x 24 cm
Print and binding: buch.one, Offsetdruckerei Karl Grammlich GmbH
Workmanship: Hardcover with open back stitching, hot foil stamping silver on leather imitate
Paper inside: Offset Paper Uncoated
Typefaces used: Editorial New Ultralight & Ultralight Italic by PangramPangram, Pierced by Otto Maurer

The Masters Series: Stefan Sagmeister

This fall, the School of Visual Arts (SVA) will honor acclaimed designer Stefan Sagmeister with its 33rd Masters Series Award and Exhibition. This career retrospective, featuring highlights from Sagmeister’s exhibitions, books, design, and film work, will be on display from August 29 to October 12, 2024, at the SVA Chelsea Gallery. Admission is free and open to the public. An artist talk with Sagmeister will be held on September 18 at 7:00pm at the SVA Theatre.

Sagmeister, who has worked with clients ranging from the Rolling Stones to the Guggenheim Museum, expressed his gratitude: “It is a true pleasure to receive this award and see decades of my work exhibited at my favorite art school in New York City. Bringing together all the facets of my career for people to enjoy and interact with at SVA, where I had the privilege of teaching, is especially meaningful.”

Born in Austria, Sagmeister holds an MFA from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and a master’s from Pratt Institute in New York as a Fulbright Scholar. His wide-ranging design work includes book jackets, album covers, brand identities, and even furniture and public space beautification. He also directed the documentary The Happy Film and authored several books, including Now is Better (Phaidon, 2023). Sagmeister has received numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards and the National Design Award from Cooper-Hewitt.

The Masters Series: Stefan Sagmeister will feature over three decades of Sagmeister’s work, including sketchbooks, posters, interactive installations, and a miniature theatre showcasing his film. Visitors can also take home special posters from the exhibition.

Established in 1988 by SVA founder Silas H. Rhodes, the Masters Series honors groundbreaking visual communicators. Previous laureates include Saul Bass, Milton Glaser, and Paula Scher. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, with Monday visits by appointment. Note special hours for Labor Day Weekend. The gallery is wheelchair accessible.

Pictures: 1. Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh, Beauty, monograph, Phaidon Press (2018, 1st ed.), 280 pages, 6 ¾ x 9 ½ x 1 inches, 2. Stefan Sagmeister, Abstract 2010/2011 (book design), yearbook, Columbia GSAPP (2012, ltd ed.), 752 pages, 10 ¾ x 7 ½ inches, 3. Stefan Sagmeister, AIGA New Orleans, 1997, lithograph, 26 ½ x 37 ½ inches, 4. Stefan Sagmeister, AIGA Detroit, 1999, lithograph, 39 x 27 ½ inches, 5. Stefan Sagmeister, “Babies”, Historic canvas with contemporary inserts, 13 3/8 x 16 1/2”, 6. Stefan Sagmeister, Feelings by David Byrne (album booklet), 1997, print, 4 ¾ x 9 ½ inches,  7. Stefan Sagmeister, Chaumont, 2004, lithograph, 69 x 46 ¾ inches, 8. Stefan Sagmeister, Things I Have Learned So Far In My Life, monograph, Abrams (2008, 1st ed.), 256 pages, 9 ¾ x 7 x 1 inches, 9. Stefan Sagmeister, Darwin Chair, 2010, laminated Tyvek, stainless steel, epoxy, 38 x 19 ¾ x 36 ¼ inches, 10. Stefan Sagmeister, Lou Reed, 1996, print, 26 ¾ x 38 ¾ inches, 11. Stefan Sagmeister, Bridges to Babylon by The Rolling Stones (album booklet), print, 4 ¾ x 4 ¾ inches , 12. Sagmeister & Walsh, Take It On, 2013, print, 46 x 30 inches

Future Playgrounds 2024

The Peter Schmidt Group is back with the third edition of its Design Festival Future Playgrounds, taking place on September 5th and 6th, 2024. After two successful events, this year’s festival promises to be even bigger, with more international speakers, interactive formats, and a larger venue: the Design Zentrum Hamburg.

Future Playgrounds is a gathering spot for global talent and industry-leading speakers to explore the latest trends, innovations, and concepts in the creative industry. This year’s theme, Life is a Prototype, will focus on new tech tools and forward-thinking ideas, shared through inspiring talks, discussions, and exhibitions. For the first time, the event will be held at the Design Zentrum Hamburg, located in HafenCity.

“Design processes are like life itself: we experiment, fail, stay curious, improve, and grow. Every step leads to innovation,” says Lukas Cottrell, Managing Partner at Peter Schmidt Group. “Our festival is a celebration of prototyping and fueling our ideas with the unseen.”

The two-day festival features renowned designers and artists showcasing innovative approaches to design and concept development. This year’s lineup includes London-based Creative Director Tina Touli, São Paulo sound artist Stefanie Egedy, deepfake artist Ethan Pope and his team from FH Salzburg, Victoria Young and Niels Van Der Donk from 3D Art Studio YONK in The Hague, and Hamburg’s Hyperfocus design studio. Peter Schmidt Group’s innovation unit, PSG Imagine, will also take the stage. Talks begin at 2:00 PM, with registration starting an hour earlier.

Thursday evening is all about networking, with snacks, drinks, and a Prompt Battle where attendees can watch live prompting by Peter Schmidt Group designers and Ninu Dramis, founder of the Hamburg collective Uber Nerd.

The Peter Schmidt Group, is one of Europe’s leading brand and design agencies, known for combining technological expertise with creative excellence for clients like Mercedes-Benz, E.ON, Henkel, and Deutsche Bank.

Day tickets, which include all talks, the networking event, and drinks, are available here. More information on speakers, topics, and tickets here.

TypoTease—A Suggestive Typeface

Theresa Zettelmann’s bachelor thesis, TypoTease, from School of Design Pforzheim, explores the nuanced intersection between typography and sexualized themes, using pole dance as her focal point. By creating a typeface that captures the multifaceted nature of pole dance, Zettelmann challenges stereotypes and encourages a deeper understanding of this art form.

TypoTease began with a question: how can typography represent the tension between pole dance as both a seductive art form and an athletic discipline, without reinforcing stereotypes? Through extensive research into the history of pole dance, from its origins in ritualistic dances to its evolution through striptease and its current status as a competitive sport, Zettelmann created an alphabet where each letter embodies a different aspect of pole dance, from “A” for Artistik to “Z” for Zensur (Censorship).

Using the AI tool Midjourney, she generated each letter with a consistent visual style, emphasizing natural lighting and neutral backgrounds. The resulting typeface, characterized by elegant skin and metal tones, reflects the physicality and strength of pole dance. This typeface is showcased in a lexicon titled A-Z, der buchstäbliche Tanz an der Stange (“A-Z, the Literal Dance on the Pole”), blending aesthetic appeal with substantial informational content. Through the use of artificial intelligence, a typographic interpretation of the subject was created, challenging normative views on body, sexuality, and beauty. These visual prompts are compiled in a reimagined lexicon, linking them to all the terms associated with pole dancing. Initially perceived as a niche topic, this approach offers a narrow yet vivid entry point to broader concepts like morality, power dynamics, and freedom, while incorporating related areas such as dance theory, feminist perspectives, and sex work. The result is a medium that addresses the subject with both sensitivity and unfiltered directness. It presents a blend of deliberate aesthetic choices and seemingly random elements that reveal themselves as readable reflections of societal norms and ideals

Zettelmann’s work challenges societal norms and offers a fresh perspective on how sexualized expressions like pole dance can be visually represented. Her typography invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions and the broader cultural implications of such art forms. The accompanying lexicon provides a neutral space for exploring terms related to pole dance, treating practical and philosophical aspects with equal seriousness, and offering readers an unbiased look at the various dimensions of the dance.

In TypoTease, Theresa Zettelmann demonstrates how typography can be a powerful tool in rethinking and re-contextualizing topics often marginalized or misunderstood, elevating the discourse around pole dance and encouraging a more nuanced engagement with the subject.

Supervised by Prof. Alice Chi & Julia Kahl

Creative Paper Conference 2024

The Creative Paper Conference (CPC) is set to welcome designers, creatives, and industry experts from the DACH region to the historic Alte Kongresshalle in Munich on October 24th and 25th, 2024. Under the theme Print Shows Its True Strength, this year’s conference promises an inspiring and informative event, celebrating the enduring power of print media in an increasingly digital world.

In an era dominated by digital content, print remains a vital component of effective communication. The CPC has firmly established itself as a leading event in the realms of print and design, demonstrating how these industries can work together to amplify brand messages. Attendees will enjoy a rich program featuring lectures, exhibitions, and networking opportunities that provide deep insights into creative processes and emerging trends.

The Creative Paper Conference 2024 boasts an exciting lineup of presentations from renowned experts across various disciplines, such as Sirene Design Studio’s insights on human-centered design, Chrish Knigge’s exploration of tactile brand experiences at Studio Grau, and Grit Wolany’s discussion on AI’s role in creative design. Highlights also include a behind-the-scenes look at award-winning book designs from Stiftung Buchkunst and a deep dive into visual identities in the cultural sector by Florian Lamm of Lamm & Kirch, and many more.

In addition to the compelling talks, CPC 2024 features a 700-square-meter exhibition area where leading companies in paper, printing, and finishing will showcase their latest products and innovations. Attendees can experience materials and finishing techniques firsthand and engage with industry experts about their upcoming projects.

Phoenix Publishers, the publisher behind this event, is passionate about creating memorable, tangible experiences. Since 2021, they have published Grafikmagazin, a German-language magazine dedicated to communication design. The magazine, which features outstanding works in graphic design, typography, illustration, photography, and more, is available in our shop, and now also available as an English ePaper.

More information and ticket purchases here.

reify × nomo

For this year’s Rundgang at the Offenbach University of Art and Design, Helene Hohmann and Lea Johanna Becker designed an exhibition featuring two feminist typedesign projects. reify and nomo are the results of an in-depth engagement with feminist theory, applying theoretical concepts to the form of characters and typefaces. Although they were developed independently, both address similar questions, making it fitting to present them together.

A glitch refers to an unavoidable, unpredictable disruption in digital systems. Glitch feminism takes the idea of the glitch and acknowledges that in a social system dominated by exclusionary power structures and marginalization, a glitch might not be a mistake but a systematic error. reify is a variable typeface that glitches, that can avoid the responsibility of being useful, that can disrupt, that can be an error, but doesn’t have to be.

nomo is a monospace font with variable advance width. The narrowest style is 300, the widest 900 units wide, the whole spectrum possible. This translates to the font being of the same weight within a style (mono), but in total different along this width (nomo).
This characteristic makes it possible to pursue topics not only in terms of content, but also in their form, to examine different questions. In the design of the font, but also through designing with the font.

Both typefaces will be on display from July 20 to November 24, 2024 as part of the exhibition Same Bold Stories? Type Design by Women and Queers in the 20th and 21st Centuries at the Klingspor Museum in Offenbach.

reify × nomo–When Typedesign Meets Feminist Theory

Typeface: reify
Designer: Helene Hohmann 
Release: June, 2024

Typeface: nomo
Designer: Lea Johanna Becker
Release: December, 2023

REBEL PRINTS

Poster Rex was founded in 2014 by Markus Lange and Lars Harmsen after a screen printing workshop in Cuba. In the following years, the two designers conducted numerous printing sessions and workshops around the world, inviting local designers to create experimental posters. Each session focused on predetermined themes from politics, current events, and social issues, emphasizing one thing above all: attitude! What emerged is an impressive testament to the enduring power of creativity and the deeply human capacity for hope, often accompanied by a call to take concrete action.

The poster collection of the collective Poster Rex now includes over 3,000 unique pieces. All posters are hand-printed using the screen printing technique. The exhibition features a selection of around 100 pieces chosen by Markus Lange and Lars Harmsen.

“This exhibition is dedicated to all those who live in countries where the government restricts the right to protest. There, where art becomes the weapon of choice for the brave and the bold. These poster artists are agents of dissent, challenging the very foundations of the regime. Their art is a form of resistance, a weapon in the fight for freedom, and democracy.”

A collaboration between the Neues Museum, Poster Rex, and bayern design.

Very excitingly, there is also a publication coming up about the Poster Rex project: REBEL PRINTS—The Poster Rex Manifesto will be published very soon by Slanted Publishers, giving even more insights, visually as well as conceptually, into this huge project. Pre-order the book here!

REBEL PRINTS—The Poster Rex Manifesto

July 26th, to September 22nd, 2024
Neues Museum Nürnberg

August 22nd, 2024 
Workshop: Rebel Prints: Meet the Makers

September 12th, 2024
Workshop: Be A Rebel (Risoprint)

September 14th, 2024
Workshop: Be A Rebel (Risoprint)

More about the exhibition here.

Zeitgeist Coffee Factory Flavor Museum Packaging & Branding

Zeitgeist is an independent coffee bean manufacturer. They adopted a vertical sales concept and directly packaged and mailed coffee beans from the place of origin to consumers’ homes through online sales. Since the flavor of coffee beans is inversely related to shelf life, the zeitgeist has shortened the time it takes coffee beans to get to consumers from every angle, and they hope to achieve this in packaging.

Zeitgeist Coffee Factory Flavor Museum Packaging Design

The Zeitgeist Coffee Factory Coffee Flavor Museum adopts a minimalist design concept, with typography as the main focus. In terms of packaging design, the design use different colors to convey different coffee flavors. This design is not only simple and clear, but also effectively conveys the flavor characteristics of the coffee. Additionally, the design use tin can packaging, which not only adds a vintage touch but also ensures the freshness of the coffee beans.

The Tea Tips Bag Packaging & Branding

THE TEA TIPS hopes to help consumers maintain their daily tea drinking habits, using “THE” to emphasize products, every bag of tea is worthy of being called “THE”, every bag of tea is worthy of being emphasized, and it is worthy of playing an important role appear in the daily life of consumers. The designer uses a very graphic font design to make the brand name present a neat geometric outline, so as to achieve the symbolic purpose of making the logo easy to recognize and remember.

Philosophy Orientation Dark Chocolate Packaging & Branding

A clean, modern and timeless design that challenges the norms of traditional chocolate brands. Break the convention of old pictures to express the taste and interpret the new generation of chocolate design with modern methods. PHILOSOPHY ORIENTATION is a product with a strong correlation between the brand name and the product. Dark chocolate has a bitter taste because of its high-purity cocoa content, but has a rich flavor hierarchy.

The Ring of Time Typography Calendar

The back of the calendar tends to face the wall. When trees grow, everything turns inward, and so do human beings. Trees change in four colors in a year, and one still has to look inward for answers about how one is doing this year. Maybe you have a period of colorful days, when you exercise, you use red to draw it, and when you have a good dream, you may use a blue pen. If the year is approaching, your rings will have more blue at first glance, at least you had enough sleep last year.​​​​​​​

Xiabuting: Taiwan Fried Food Brand Visual Design

To ensure easy recognition and understanding for diverse language groups, the brand has adopted a multi-language design strategy incorporating Japanese, Chinese, and English. A modular design has been implemented, dividing menu categories into different sections to allow customers to quickly find the information they need. The irregular shape of the menu breaks free from the traditional, monotonous style, offering a more experience.

PixelPlay Digital Art Festival Brand Visual Design

Digital art is rapidly transforming how we perceive the world and reshaping our interaction with art itself. The design’s core, built from pixels, creates a visually striking image, serving as a powerful metaphor for the digital realm. These pixels, akin to living cells, hold limitless potential. The pixelated pattern, reminiscent of early computer graphics, acts as a microcosm of digital art’s evolution, capturing the advancement of technology and the revolution of art.

Bouncing Languages: 109-A Universala Kongreso de Esperanto Brand Visual Design

At the core of the design lies a letter of interconnected dots, each rendered in a bold and vibrant hue. These dots, like individual voices coming together, symbolize the unity and diversity of the Esperanto community. The dots dance across the canvas, creating a sense of movement and energy, representing the dynamic nature of the event and the ongoing evolution of the language itself.

The World, Reimagined: 109-A Universala Kongreso de Esperanto Brand Visual Design

This design for the Congress presents a vibrant and playful reimagining of the alphabet, inviting us to explore a world where communication, human connection, and environmental consciousness converge. It is a visual exploration of the Congress’s theme “Lingvo, Homo kaj Medio” (Language, Human, and Environment), evoking a sense of hope and possibility for a brighter future, grounded in the universal language of childhood and the power of Esperanto.

Converging Understandings:109-A Universala Kongreso de Esperanto Brand Visual

Each dots representing a distinct voice, a unique perspective, and a different language. These dots, scattered across the canvas, symbolize the unity and diversity of the Esperanto community. The field of dots, with its seemingly random yet interconnected arrangement, reflects the adaptability and dynamism of Esperanto. The language itself, like the dots, is constantly evolving, incorporating new ideas and expressions, and enriching its capacity to connect people from diverse backgrounds.

NaN Success

Drawing inspiration from late Art-Nouveau typefaces, the likes of De Vinne and Louis Jou (alongside a healthy dash of alien goo), Jérémy Landes brought the Success Titling sub-family to life, packing the Display typefaces with an absolutely insane amount of ligatures (280 to be precise), for both the Latin and Cyrillic scripts.To that end, welcoming its own wonderful absurdity, Success embraces its role as an out-of-the-box tilting machine, doubling down on the title with the inclusion of inno

ArtPulse Festival Brand Visual Design

These lines, symbolize the interconnectedness of art and design, the collaborative spirit of the festival, and the web of creativity that binds them all. As viewers engage with the design, a subtle element emerges – the words “ArtPulse Festival” are hidden within the lines. This method encourages active participation, inviting viewers to delve deeper and uncover hidden meaning, much like they explore the depths of art at the festival itself.

NaN Tresor

In life (and in font design), we are confronted with a choice our survival depends on. NaN Tresor’s designer, Christoph Koeberlin, for his own survival, made the innovative decision to make no final decision at all. Instead, he offers an anachronous revival, side-stepping natural selection (sorry, Darwin! You snooze, you lose!), where every possible glyph variation flourishes in one font.

Artificial Type Design

Artificial Type Design explores the possibilities and impacts of AI in typography. Will algorithms soon take over the work of creative professionals? Can machines generate new creative ideas? Where are the boundaries between AI and human creativity?

A collection of 22 AI-generated fonts provides insight into the vast field of typographic possibilities with AI.

Training custom LoRA models with Stable Diffusion enables diverse fonts and future design innovations.

suffering

I`m attaching a poster on which I show my sharp font, which I tried to convey the pain, anger and rage that every person in my country feels. I wanted to convey thinner letters with a wider shape and sharp corners. Between the letters you can read the name of my country, to which this poster is dedicated

explode Font

The font conveys the idea of fireworks. Just like fireworks that spread out from a central point and become more detailed as they expand, my font is designed to provide an experience that requires patience and perseverance from the viewer. As you watch the graphical forms, you will discover the information hidden within, all while being entertained by the visual spectacle.