Berlin Trip - Studio & Exhibition visits

International Design Trip

I took the opportunity, whilst being in Berlin, to visit a number of small, niche exhibitions as well as attending a studio visit organised by the tutors.

The first exhibition of work I went to see was a small print shop full of things like posters and publications, two things I am thoroughly interested in. The posters on display, pictured underneath, and some of the other items made use of vibrant and florescent colours. This has inspired me to experiment with more colours as currently I have not used such strong colours in my work before. Previously, I have avoided using florescent colours as it can look tacky but seeing these examples has changed my opinion. The shop was run by the guy who makes the prints, the rest of the shop was then full of one-off books.

This was one thing that i really admired about Berlin. Everywhere we went, we came across small print shops and other creative outlets showcasing really nice and varied work.

 


Ace & Tate

The next visit was to a glasses shop that had an exhibition of a collaboration between them and Anthony Burrill. The show was made up of a series of letter press posters, signed, on 100% recycled paper. 

Pentagram

Out of a choice of three, I decided to put my name down for a studio visit to Pentagrams Berlin office. I chose this for a couple of reasons. One being that next week, I will be interviewing a professional Graphic Designer who has previously worked for Pentagram. I also chose this studio as it is definitely somewhere I could see myself working. I like the size of the company, the fact that is has offices around the world and I really admire the extensive portfolio of work the company has produced over the years.

Notes from visit:

- started pentagram career in London
- Lucky that they were looking to hire someone at that time
- Then opened Berlin branch
- Star Alliance branding & identity 
- Huge project
- Rare that you get to see your own design on an aircraft
- Branded the whole of Sardinia 
- Vivates rebrand
- Red quarter circle
- Clients wont often understand the design itself, so telling a story along with it helps them understand and then they will buy into it
- Acquired taste - when you take on a project - naturally you will think of your own taste
- Rarely will the client share your taste 
- Critique on Graphic Design isn't easily accessed or seen
- Like a restaurant review 
- Need to be an entertainer
- Be likeable, tell a story, "massage the atmosphere"

I found the talk extremely inspiring as I admired him as a professional and a person. He had great presentation skills that kept me really interested and engaged. He was very relaxed and often made jokes which lightened the mood and made it a relaxing experience. I hope one day to be working somewhere similar around the world and have the confidence and people skills that he had.