The issue is entirely dedicated to modern Dutch poster. This is another milestone in cooperation between us and the General Consulate of the Netherlands in St.Petersburg: the first Projector on Dutch design was isssued back in 2011. Later on, there was a number of appointments with Dutch designers, which I organised in St.Petersburg and Moscow, so the new Dutch issue had to happen — and it did. Guided by Alex Clay, my friend and the founder of Lesley Moore Studio, I was deeper and deeper diving into contemporary graphic design of the Netherlands until I realised there was enough visual material not only for a special magazine issue, but also for an entire exhibition which toured different cities after being shown in St.Petersburg.
From the lifestyle principles by High on Type team (Guido de Boer, Vincent de Boer, Ivo Brouwer, Hans Schuttenbeld): «Try things out! Do something with no idea of what it will turn out to be. You will make a lot of discoveries and find inspiration for further work. Among other things, we attract new customers by giving them freedom to experiment, simultaneously expanding the boundaries of our own skills, which is true. By the way, we also do this at our workshops. One of the best feedbacks we’ve recently had is: „You play jazz within calligraphy!“ These were the words of a curly stranger girl at Typomania Festival. Unfortunately, we didn’t ask her name, but here’s the toast to her!»
From the interview with Sonja Haller and Pascal Brun: «Digital design is gaining more and more importance, so graphic design is also changing these days. Fewer books are being published, but the published ones are more specific. Digitalisation creates new opportunities: posters don’t have to be printed, but may be shown on digital screens in motion, which will make them more dynamic and meaningful. Unfortunately, there are still no convincing e-books — there is something to thrive for in this industry».
From the interview with Hansje van Halem: «I’m a workaholic. I use my free time to relax before work. If I happen to have a hobby, there is a 90% likelihood it’s related to work, so I can’t call it a leisure activity. I’d like to read more, but there’s Instagram. I’d like to walk more, but there’s Netflix!».
From the interview with Michiel Schurman: «I can quote two pieces of advice from my teachers and give one of my own. Gerard Unger: „Try to depend on money as little as possible. The less you concern your expenses, the more freedom to create you have“. Danny (Experimental Jetset): „Try to put off your „expiry date“ until you’re at least sixty». (Danny seems to encourage you for a long and creative life). Me: «Do actively cooperate with people your age and younger. Don’t spend much time with the elderly. Remember, one day you and your friends will top the food chain and be surprised to realise those magnates with a lot of money are you».
From the interview with Jannetje in ’t Veld and Toon Koehorst: «Graphic design of the new century reveals a new trend: its brightest examples don’t look like graphic design at all. A designer creates a unique prototype — a 3D-printed gun, for instance, and a pic or video of it gains a lot of attention online. Shall we call this a design product or just its image? That’s what graphic designers are now concerned of, although, conventionally, it isn’t their field».
From the interview with Alex Clay and Karin van den Brandt: «Apparrently, the projects you’re now working on are always the best-loved ones. However, a successful project is also closely related to your cooperation with the client, who should be same open-minded as you are. Looking back, we are happy to remember working for Mark — not only because we were free to design, but also due to the great editors. Today we’re delighted to be working for Centraal Museum — again, the positive cooperation experience with their team is the key».
From the interview with Daniera ter Haar and Christoph Brach: «1. Work hard and devote your entire body and soul to the job. When it comes to your aesthetic choice or common values, there can be no boundaries between the job and the private. 2. Join a community. You are as smart as your colleagues, but you’ll succeed much slower if working alone. We reflect each other as if we were mirrors, and this one of the prerequisites to grow. 3. Be nice, honest and punctual :)»
From the interview with Remco van Bladel: «I like being so functional. The great variety of my working fields is what makes my strong point. I also love the punk rock metaphor: move beyond when having mastered your instrument. Go for new fields. Use the instruments the way no one has ever used them. And keep learning!»
From the interview with Richard Nissen: «I believe I can create items which speak their own language. Something that conveys a number of hidden ideas at a time. Simultaneously, my works demonstrate particular density and clarity. I like multitasking challenges. Surely, it involves quite a bit of work though».
From the interview with Tereza Ruller and Vit Ruller: «I have workshops all over the world, and I also teach at Man and Communication facultee of Eindhoven Design Academy. Here’s my advice: 1. Laze away. 2. Work hard. 3. Contextualize. 4. Don’t believe your teachers. 5. Get a good office chair and a coffee machine».
