Recap see conference #16

The see conference in Wiesbaden unfolded on Saturday, April 6th, drawing over 800 attendees and solidifying its status as one of Germany’s premier design gatherings. Since its inception in 2006, the conference has championed the power of visualization in understanding data and information. This year, it delved deeper into the realm of sustainability, recognizing that effective presentation is key to illuminating societal truths amidst the deluge of information.

Bringing together a diverse array of disciplines, including design, art, architecture, business, journalism, sociology, philosophy, and technology, the see conference serves as a nexus for individuals committed to shaping a better future. Its interdisciplinary curation fosters fresh perspectives that highlight the impact of our actions on future generations, galvanizing attendees to translate insights into action.

Organized by the association Bilder der Zukunft (Images of the Future), the conference not only sparks creative innovation but also emphasizes our responsibility to society. It is a platform where pressing issues are dissected, and solutions are explored through the lens of design.

Among the notable speakers was Jörn Menge, whose initiatives such as Laut gegen Nazis (Loud against Nazis) underscored the conference’s commitment to social activism. Mark Benecke’s impassioned plea regarding the climate crisis resonated deeply, urging attendees to take concrete steps toward sustainability.

Bonnie Hvillum and M/M Paris offered compelling insights into material innovation and the complexities of human expression, respectively. Tereza Ruller’s exploration of performative design challenged conventional norms, while Neville Brody provoked introspection on the role of design in shaping perceptions and promoting democracy.

Neville Brody, a luminary and trailblazer in graphic design, captivated attendees with his talk address. Reflecting on the conference theme, Brody posed a poignant question: “Are we contributing to the fairness in democracy or not?” He emphasized the profound influence of design in shaping public perception and underscored the responsibility of designers to uphold ethical standards. Brody urged for more experimentation and innovation in design to address societal challenges, lamenting the cultural loss that comes with complacency. His insights resonated deeply, challenging attendees to consider their role in promoting equity and democracy through their work.

The see conference, in partnership with the World Design Capital Frankfurt 2026 initiative, represents a holistic approach to design, recognizing its profound implications for democracy and societal progress. As the call for participation for the next conference in 2026 opens, attendees are encouraged to reflect on the transformative power of design and their role in shaping a brighter future.

Looking forward to the next conference in 2025!

Mother Tongue and Foreign Language

In a mother tongue, one finds identity. It is natural, familiar, and easy. A foreign tongue feels unnatural, strange, and clumsy. Everything about a foreign tongue, especially when one deals with East versus West, is alien – alphabet, grammar, culture, and flavor. When one identifies a mother tongue, any other language becomes the “other.”

LAW OF ATTRACTION

My Body,
beyond this world
Vibrating Energy
I am more than skin and bone and internal organs
The Universe is represented by me
Personified
A garment, close to my frequency
Rays of sun infuse me
What belongs to me, will simply find me

Part of Words Clothes Expression project
Klasse Roberts @klasseroberts
ABK @abkstuttgart

Ms. Lauryn Hill – Merchdesign

I was commissioned by Ms. Lauryn Hill to design her merchandise. In the design process I had direct contact with her. Ms. Hill continues to perform at festivals and always offers a wide variety of merchandise. I designed apparel graphics for her that were meant to be a homage to Jean-Michel Basquiat. For this reason, Ms. Hill was illustrated with the simplest means and depicted in combination with handlettering. The 2 dimensional representation made it optimal for screen printing the graphics on

TONGWANG Identity Design

Known for experimental cuts and flexible silhouettes. TONGWANG embracing “reconstruction” as the core concept, the new visual identity balances aesthetics with rationality. The redesigned logotype and BW Gradual typeface reflect the brand’s avant-garde nature. The sustainable hangtag design embodies TONGWANG’s environmentally friendly philosophy. This rebranding effort aims to convey a vivid brand story while preserving traditional fashion techniques and exploring new design inspirations.

Halo – Murphy’s Magazine

Murphy’s Magazine
Apparel Graphic Design, Custom Lettering and Illustrations
Murphy’s Magazine approached me for a collaboration. We worked together to create a small drop of hoodies, sweaters, and t-shirts. Murphy’s Magazine embraces a digital and futuristic aesthetic. While developing the graphics, we focused on using a pixelated grid. We intentionally incorporated rounded corners to achieve a Y2K look and stay current with the zeitgeist. I customized and implemented the “Halo” logo and the Ke

Regards

Regards is a new brand that focuses on high-quality, simple clothing. However, I was asked to showcase the brand differently. For this collaboration, I was tasked with creating a playful T-shirt design featuring an illustration of a rose. It was basically the opposite of what defines the brand. They wanted to prove that they can do things differently and also serve as a platform for collaborations! This collaboration was a big success.

THE HUNT

Voor dit project maakte ik live visuals in Touchdesigner, waarbij ik typografie en jachtbeelden heb gecombineerd. Dit door een fascinatie voor de puurheid en concentratie in jachtbeelden. De typografie die live uit deze combinatie van beeld en woorden kwam heb ik op t-shirts gezeefdrukt.

Die typografische Komposition

Who doesn’t know them, standard works in typography that one simply needs when striving for excellence. Once again, the publishing house Hermann Schmidt has released such a standard work: Die typografische Komposition by Martin Mosch. “The typographic system and layout as the foundation for your creativity and efficiency.”

Typography and layout are based on proven craftsmanship and aesthetic principles, providing guidance and stability in the design process, bringing confidence and efficiency. This allows designers to focus entirely on content and its presentation to the audience, channeling their creative resources where they are most needed: in making text and images accessible.

The author guides from the smallest element, the letter, through word and line, column and format, to the big picture, composition principles, and layout. He addresses not only the visible parts of design but also the crucial white spaces that provide rest for the eye.

He vividly analyzes practical examples that demonstrate how aesthetic perception builds on learned traditions such as proportional theory and composition principles.

This practical workshop demonstrates how detailed decisions influence the overall composition, how various visual strategies work, what to consider in the design process, and how designers can simplify and enhance their creative workflow.

Now available in the Slanted Shop!

Publisher: Hermann Schmidt
Author & Designer: Martin Mosch

Volume: 364 pages
Format: 21 × 29.7 cm
Workmanship: Hardcover with linen and hot foil embossing
Printing: Offset with 2 spot colors
Language: German

Price: € 68.–
ISBN 978-3-87439-873-2

Buy here

FASHION IS RELIGION IS

In her research, Hailee Talbot grapples with the similarities of Haute Couture and Catholicism, and their connection to graphic design through harmony, balance, and rhythm. This garment is a manifestation of that research with a circle skirt reading: “FASHION IS RELIGION IS,” with the intention of it being read as both, ‘Fashion is Religion’ and ‘Religion is Fashion.’ The capelet, headpiece, and fabric colors are signifiers of various Catholic regalia.

Laced

“Laced” is a revolutionary series that redefines sexuality, reclaiming it from societal norms. By intertwining lingerie with letterforms, it distorts the male gaze into the female, empowering women to own their sexuality. It celebrates intimacy and femininity, asserting our right to autonomy over our bodies and choices. In a world where equality is often lacking, “Laced” stands as a symbol of empowerment and defiance, inviting us to embrace our desires and rewrite the narrative on our terms.

Making of Slanted Magazine #43—Ukraine

Exciting news: Our upcoming issue of Slanted Magazine dedicated to the vibrant graphic design scene of Ukraine is in production and will be published soon! Despite challenges, fueled by newfound friendships and overwhelming generosity, we’re diving into this project headfirst. Preorder your copy now as a single issue or together with the limited special edition sticker set (5€ will be donated for each set sold) or subscribe to Slanted Magazine and receive the issue at its release 🙂

This magazine comes along with three different cover artworks by Mykola Kovalenko, Dasha Podoltseva, and Anna Sarvira, printed by our long-time printing partner Stober Medien. Inside you can find the wonderful works from more than 150 Ukrainian designers printed on the voluminous coated paper Condat matt Perigord, distributed by Inapa Deutschland. The issue will be complemented by 96 pages of essays, interviews and appendix, printed with a blue spot color by HKS (44N) on the uncoated paper Holmen Trnd with a double volume produced by Holmen Paper. The magazine comes along with a 8-paged cover and an open thread-stitching wonderfully manufactured by the bookbinding company Schaumann.

For each Limited Special Edition Ukraine sold, 5€ will be donated to the German aid organization ART HELPS with which we worked together two years ago for the project Posters Can Help.

Stay tuned for a contemporary time capsule capturing the essence of Ukrainian design. Enjoy the photos 🙂

FASHION VICTIMS-ADDICTS-FASCISTS

In this series of screen-printed text works I respond directly to Slanted Magazine’s open submission #44. The word FASHION is abused and interrupted with the words FASCIST, ADDICT and VICTIM. Presented in Futura typeface — crossover type of the fashion and art world — the present text works, hanging explicitly from chrome clothesline pegs, are realised via a combination of designed and destructive processes, including screen-printing, stencilling, pleating, cutting and drilling.

WE ARe work

As a hommage to the jeans with its origins in workwear and todays characteristics of that field, this knit fuses these two worlds together by using the highly durable kevlar yarn as playful tool to „print“ the words wear and we are as a hint to the title. „Priniting“ these words by using heat to partially melt the greyish coat of the kevlar yarn, only leaving a solid black core creates a contrast between washed out grey ground and bold black letters symbolising the to merged worlds.

Namak-e Safar (The taste of the journey)

The fashion collection “Namak-e Safar” (The Taste of the Journey) talks about the distances and made to support the project “Type & Politics – Depoliticizing Arabic Letters.”

For joining different worlds based on a mutual interest in typography.
The designs on display make use of square Kufic letters – in Persian, limited editions in silkscreen, by G.Kat.Berlin. They show the names of Middle Eastern cities, where the Arabic alphabet is originated & their distances in kilometres to Berlin.

The Weight Of Our Words

Steve Bowden and Peter Evonuk created a 2,500-pound interactive sculpture for their residency at the DesignInquiry Futurespective. The installation, which became an unexpected t-shirt printer, allowed participants to create, compose and print words using inked cement brick letterforms. The piece explores ideas of language, reproduction, labor, and value, encouraging users to think deliberately about the weight of their words.

NOW!

“NOW!” is the textile counterpart to the booklet “Do not give me a moment!”, a split-publication with artist/writer Fette Sans. “NOW!” condenses the booklet, which features Fette Sans’ essay based on Dicey Studios’ typographical snapshots, into a wearable demand and exclamation – a scarf in 200 × 56 cm, printed with discharge print on sweat fabric, available in 3 different colors.