wwu summer design abroad 2015

HALLO.

SUMMER DESIGN ABROAD 2015

SUMMER DESIGN ABROAD 2015 During August and September

2015, fourteen students from Western Washington University’s Design Department traveled through Germany and Switzerland.

For three weeks, they studied international art and design movements and historical events while experiencing local culture.

BERLIN DESSAU

08 38STREET ART

SIGHTSEEING

FOOD

FIRMS

BETAHAUS

ARCHITECTURE

TYPOGRAPHY

BAUHAUS12

22

24

26

30

32

36

40

THIS PUBLICATION WAS PRINTED ON 80LB WHITE TEXT, USING THE FONTS AKZIDENZ GROTESK, DIN, ABSARA, AND HELVETICA.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY AND CONTENT WAS PRODUCED BY THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF THE TRIP.

FRANKFURT ZÜRICH

46 54VITRA

FOOD

ZHDK

MATERIAL ARCHIVE

FREITAG

56

58

60

62

64

DESIGNED BY ABBY MCCARTIN, DALLAS DYSON, HANNAH STUTZMAN, MEGAN LEES AND SHAUNA CRAWFORD.

BRAUN

GUTENBERG

48

52

6

2 Cool Profs.

SHAUNAPAULDALLAS

KAYLEEHANNAHERICA

KACEY

BRITTANY

7

2 Countries.14 Designers.

MADDYMEGAN

NATALEEKATY

AMELIA

NICOLEJASON

ABBY

8

BERLINBERLINBERLINBERLINBERLIN1

9

BERLINBERLINBERLINBERLINBERLIN1STREET ART

SIGHTSEEINGFOODFIRMSBETAHUASARCHITECTURETYPOGRAPHY

10

11

12

13TEUFELSBERG

U.S. SPY TOWER & STREET ART

15We started our day off

by going to Teufelsberg,

a spy facility used by the

U.S. during the Cold War.

Teufelsberg is located at the

top of a large hill composed

of 26 million cubic meters of

rubble left by WWII. At the

top we got to see one of the

largest street art galleries in

Germany with featured work

by Plotbot and Tobo. We then

went up 211 poorly lit steps

to the very top dome, where

we saw expansive views of

Berlin.

211 STEPSTO THE TOP

ENTRANCE TO TEUFELSBERG

STARTING OUR JOURNEY TO THE TOP

16

TOP LEFT THE GROUP CUTTING OUT STENCILS

TOP RIGHT AN EXAMPLE OF GRAFFITI DONE WITH

A FIRE EXTINGUISHER

BOTTOM RIGHT DEBBIE, OUR GUIDE GIVING US A

STREET TOUR

STREETART

We did a graffiti tour with a

local street artist. She taught us

all about the techniques used in

graffiti and how much time each

artist has to complete a work in

order to not risk being caught

by the cops.

After the tour, we got to test

our skills with some stenciling

of our own. It was interesting

to experiment with all the

different techniques and

amazing to see what everyone

was able to come up with. The

group definitely has a new

appreciation for street art.

THEY BRING TECHNO& WE MAKE PARTY.

THEY BRING TECHNO& WE MAKE PARTY.

- GERMAN TOUR GUIDE AT TEUFELSBERG

HISTORICAL SIGHTSEEING

We took the train to Museum

Island to begin our walking tour of

historical sights. Here we saw the

gorgeous Berlin Cathedral along

with the WWII book-burning

memorial.

We made our way on foot over to

the site of Hitler’s bunker. It is

now just a parking lot, completely

un-memorialized other than a dis-

crete sign indicating the spot. Just

around the corner was the Holo-

caust Memorial where we spent

some time exploring and reflecting.

We ended our walking tour with

Brandenburg Gate, a neoclassical

triumphal arch which was com-

missioned by a Prussian king as a

symbol of peace.

WALKING TOUR

LEFT HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL

TOP BRANDENBURG GATE

BOTTOM BERLINER DOM, SKETCH BY BRITTANY

FOOD AND DRINKS OF GERMANY

During the trip, our group

experienced many culinary German

adventures. On our first night in

Berlin, we sat down to a dinner of

salad and schnitzel, a pounded and

breaded pork dish. Most mornings,

we sat down to a typical German

breakfast of meats, eggs, bread,

and fruit.

EATING BREAKFAST AT OUR FIRST HOTEL

25

Outside of our hotel, students

drank plentiful amounts of beer

and scoured the city for street

meat and bakeries. Many pastries

incorporated a variety of fruits,

with apples and plums being

particularly popular. For the savory

LUNCH TIME IN BERLIN NEAR CHECKPOINT CHARLIE

THE INFAMOUS CURRY WURST OF BERLIN

dishes, a great deal of salt and spices

were baked, fried, and cooked in

to the meats. As for the beer, there

was a golden rainbow available at

almost every eatery. We quickly

learned of the hearty and flavorful

nature of German food.

F I R M S

visiting design firms across Berlin

27

NODE is a small design

firm that was established in

2003 by Anders Hofgaard

and Serge Rompza. The firm

primarily focuses on print,

2003

15FOUNDED

EMPLOYEES

identity, and exhibition

design. We were shown a

variety of books from travel

guides to experimental

scratch-and-sniff books.

NODE

28

Founded by Erik Spiekermann,

Edenspiekermann is no doubt one

of the biggest and most prominent

design firms in Berlin, but also all

across the globe.

During our visit, we were able

to analyze the difference in

atmosphere between working in a

large design firm, versus working in

a small firm such as NODE.

Edenspiekermann

In order to design for understanding, we need to understand design.

Erik Spiekermann

1.5M

Edenspiekermann

EtsyEtsy is an online

marketplace for

individuals to create

and sell products to

customers all over the

planet.

After visiting Etsy, we

were able to see the

flexibilty and freedom

they had as designers.

The culture of their

business allowed for

this freedom and it

showed through their

design work.

2005FOUNDED

757EMPLOYEES

1.5MACTIVE SELLERS

32MPRODUCTS

A CO-WORKING SPACE Betahaus is an open workspace

that invites designers, writers,

developers, entrepreneurs, and

many others to work and share

with one another.

31

There are many rooms and

workspaces in the Betahaus,

ranging from a café, meeting

rooms, a woodworking shop, an

electronics lab, and even a 3-D

printing lab. We were able to sit

MAKERBOT 3-D PRINTER USED IN THE WORKSHOP

KATY WORKING ON A MODEL

in on several presentations from

international start-ups, giving us a

new perspective on a shared design

workspace. To end the tour, we

experimented with 3-D printing.

Architecture

AN OVERVIEW

Across the city of Berlin, we saw many

iconic and historic buildings alike.

Berlin’s political history has shaped

the landscape we see today. The city

is a tapestry of remodeled pre- WWII

monuments, examples of Modernism,

and East German Plattenbauten.

With cranes, pipes, and scaffolding

visible everywhere, the city continues

to grow, adapt, and search for its iden-

tity, while not forgetting the past.

NEUE NATIONALGALERIE DESIGNED BY THE FAMOUS LUDWIG MEIS VAN DER ROHE IN 1968

34

We had the opportunity to visit

the Bauhaus Archive, based on the

original design by Walter Gropius.

The Archive, Modern in its design,

holds many products, textiles, and

pieces of art created by the students

and teachers of the Bauhaus.

RIGHT THE BAUHAUS ARCHIVE

FAR RIGHT BERLINISCHE GALERIE

TV TOWER, BUILT DURING THE COLD WAR IN EAST BERLIN, IS THE TALLEST STRUCTURE IN BERLIN

Pictured above is a model in the

Berlinische Galerie, where we saw

an exhibition about the architec-

ture of post WWII Berlin.

BERLIN HAUPTBAHNHOF IS THE CITY’S CENTRAL TRAIN STATION

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TYPE

TOP LEFT THE LOBBY OF FONTFONT

BOTTOM LEFT THE ENTRANCE TO

GESTALTEN

RIGHT A DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM OF LETTERS

TYPO GRAPHY

The group started the day off with

a tour of FontFont. The members

at FontFont taught the full

extent of what goes into making

a font family. After meeting with

FontFont, everyone has a little

more appreciation for typefaces.

Later, the group visited Gestalten

Publisher, where a designer/editor

spoke about the importance of

books in design.

At the end of the day, we went

to the Museum of Letters. This

museum was a collection of signage

from Berlin and around the world.

Each of the letters on these old

signs represented a humanistic

approach to typography.

TYPE ALL DAY

2DAY TRIP: BAUHAUS DESSAUAND MASTERS’ HOUSES

DESSAU

DESSAU

BAUHAUSTHE

WE

IMA

R

DE

SS

AU

BE

RLIN

BAUHAUSWE

IMA

R

DE

SS

AU

BE

RLIN

THE BAUHAUS SCHOOL OF DESSAU WAS A PLACE FOR STUDENTS TO EXPERIMENT AND LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN

42

Walking through the halls

of one of the most famous

design schools was an unreal

experience. As a design

student you don’t expect to

ever see what you’ve read in

design history books. But we

had the opportuity to see one

of the most famous design

schools, and it lived up to all

of our expectations.

Everything the Bauhaus did

was a carefully calculated

decision that worked to

make a cohesive whole.

The building’s architecture,

the design of the lamps

and doors; everything had a

place and a meaning. Going

through and seeing those

minute details essentially

emphasized the entire

philosophy of the Bauhaus.

It makes you question how

a school could be so forward

thinking. The building looks

like something that would

have been built today, but

in reality was designed all in

the 1920’s.

INSIDE THE BAUHAUS

THE BAUHAUS SCHOOL LOCATED IN DESSAU.

Everything had a place, a meaning, a purpose.

43

ABOVE A MIRRORED SPHERE USED IN PHOTOGRAPHY EXPLORATIONS

LEFT THE HALLWAY OF THE SKY BRIDGE LEADING TO GROPIUS’ OFFICE

44

Students of the Bauhaus

were expected to be fully

immersed in their work

and design. Therefore the

Bauhaus created what may

be considered the first dorms

of Germany. It allowed

students immediate access to

the buildings and the ability

THE BAUHAUS EXPERIENCE

to foster closer relationships

with their classmates. The

Bauhaus had a similar idea

for their masters as well

with a designated living

community a couple blocks

away from the school.

THE STUDENT DORM BALCONIES

45

LEFT ENTERING THE MASTERS’ HOUSES

ABOVE AN ABSTRACTION OF MASTER GROPIUS’ HOUSE

3FRANKFURT

DAY TRIPS:KRONBERG: BRAUNMAINZ: GUTENBERG

MUSEUM

47

FRANKFURT

48

Many of us don’t think about the design of the

everyday objects we find in our house. We don’t

think about the angle of the handle on our hair

dryer or the grip on our toothbrush. We don’t

need to because of industrial designers like

Braun who have perfected it down to a science.

ABOVE A SKETCH OF BRAUN GADGETS BY AMELIA

49

Visiting the Braun Museum was

extremely eye opening. Everyone

kept saying, “Hey, I own this!” or

“Wow, my parents have one of

these.” Braun has been designing

household items since 1921 and

has essentially led the way in terms

of industrial design. Their sleek

uniform design has been extremely

influential. Companies like Apple

have taken Braun’s successes and

incorporated it into their own

design. We were grateful to have

been able to see the progression of

Braun’s advancements.

THE PIONEERS

BELOW STUDENTS LISTENING TO THE TOUR

LEFT AMELIA LOOKING AT THE PROGRESSION OF BRAUN’S HAIR DRYERS

FRANKFURT

FRANKFURT

While touring the historical

artifacts of the Gutenberg Museum

in Mainz, Germany, the group

gazed upon three copies of the

infamous 42-line Bible. Students

were also able to experiment with

hand-done alternative printing.

THE TOUR GUIDE SHOWING AN ALTERNATE PRINTING TECHNIQUE

GUTENBERG MUSEUM

NATALEE WITH HER FINISHED HAND PRINTED PAGE OF THE 42-LINE BIBLE

53

Using three oil-based inks in

primary colors, the students

printed designs of their

choice. Using rollers to

apply the ink, images were

created through pressure

from letterpresses or from

the students passing the

paint rollers over paper

themselves.

4VITRA DESIGN MUSEUMZHdK CAMPUSMATERIAL ARCHIVESFOODFREITAG FACTORY

ZÜRICH

ZÜRICH

VITRA

TAKE YOURPLEASURE SERIOUSLY

-CHARLES EAMES

DESIGN MUSEUM

We stopped at the Vitra Design

Museum on our way to Zürich,

Switzerland. At Vitra, we were

able to experience firsthand a lot

of the design furniture that we

had learned about in our previous

design classes. There was also an

exhibit on African design and a

large slide/viewing tower just on

the outskirts of the museum.

DESIGN MUSEUM

TOP RIGHT OUTSIDE OF VITRA DESIGN MUSEUM

LEFT VITRAHAUS FILLED WITH DISPLAYS

OF FAMOUS DESIGN FURNITURE

BOTTOM RIGHT ABBY ADMIRING A DESIGN

BOOK ON DISPLAY IN THE VITRAHAUS

In Zürich, Switzerland,

much of the food was

similar to the food in

Germany in the sense

that there was plentiful

meat, bread, and cheese.

FOOD AND DRINKS OF SWITZERLAND

59MEGAN CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY

ONE OF THE DELICIOUS WINNER WINNER, CHICKEN DINNERS

However, at a group dinner

we were given the good grace

of American fare. Many of

the students ordered “Yeasty

Boy” beer and fried chicken

with french fries for dinner.

The restaurant was located

on a farm that is built on

the farm-to-table concept.

The dinner also doubled as a

celebratory feast for Megan’s

22nd birthday, resulting in

a great deal of appreciated

merriment.

We had the pleasure of visiting the

most prominent school of art and

design in Zürich, where we got a

demonstration of student projects,

as well as touring the school itself.

ZURICH UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS

NICOLE LOOKING THROUGH LIBRARY

ZHdK

WALKING THROUGH THE HALLS OF ZHDK

THE MAIN ENTRANCE AND LOBBY

ZHdK

MATERIALS ARCHIVE

While visiting ZHdK in

Zürich, Switzerland, the

group’s tour through the

University included viewing

the materials archive in the

library. The objects ranged

from natural fibers, to 3-D

printed objects, metals,

glass, fabrics, and almost

everything else imaginable.

63

BELOW ONE OF THE MANY EXAMPLES OF NATURAL FIBERS

ABOVE EXAMPLES OF TEXTILES AVAILABLE

FREITAG FACTORY

A RESOURCEFUL LOOK INTO URBAN FASHION

A FUNCTIONAL TOOL AND ACCESSORY

A BEAUTIFUL DESIGN THAT REDEFINES

65

FREITAG FACTORY

Freitag was created in 1993

by two brothers who saw the

need for strong, functional

and weather resistant bags.

They found their solution

in reusing old tarps from

trucks and bicycle tires.

Today Freitag has expanded

dramatically to selling 40

different models in 460

stores around the world as

well as online. This increase

in commerce and unique

design is what led us to the

Freitag Factory in Zürich,

Switzerland to see how these

bags are made.

We were not disappointed.

As soon as we started our

tour we were blown away by

their dedication to recycling

or rather upcycling of their

products. Their entire

facility was designed to be

environmentally friendly.

Even the rainwater they

collected was used to wash

the tarps.

Freitag’s ideals permeate

through everything that they

do. It was fascinating to see

a company that cares about

sustainable design.

THE IDEA OF FREITAG

AN EMPLOYEE CUTTING OUT BAG PATTERNS

WWU.EDU/DESIGN/SUMMERABROAD

CHECK OUT MORE AT

Our time abroad showed us many things that we could not have experienced otherwise. We were immersed in a design landscape that was both foreign and familiar because we had previously learned the history. It gave many of us a new

perspective and opened our eyes to the diverse culture of design. Our study abroad was awesome and amazing and exceeded all of our expectations. We hope you enjoyed learning about our time abroad too.

WWU.EDU/DESIGN/SUMMERABROAD

68

CIAO.