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Training with a guarantee of employment: "Graphic Designer PRO"
Find out moreKarel Martens began his journey in the world of graphic design long before the advent of digital technology, when the choice of design tools was very limited. In his work, he resorted to using washers, bolts, gears, metal parts from printing presses, and even old account books. The Dutch designer continues to use these and many other industrial materials to create his unique monotypes. Karel also prefers to work on old paper and recycled materials, and develops fonts using offset ink and presses.
Martens admits that he has often made mistakes in his professional work, but it was these mistakes that contributed to the emergence of something original and fascinating.
When designers encounter failures, their reaction should be: "Great!" - this sets them apart from the artisans who can't screw up a print run. It's important to consider various factors, such as the technical limitations of the printing house or the possibilities offered by digital graphic editors. At first, I felt disappointed by this, but later I realized that such conditions encourage people to be more creative.
Karel Martens shared many interesting thoughts in his interview for Look At Me.
We share information about the projects created by the designer, as well as his collaborations with various brands.
OASE Magazine
For over three decades, Karel Martens has held the position of art director at the Dutch architecture magazine OASE. As part of his work, he has created a unique concept, thanks to which each issue becomes a logical continuation of the overall visual conversation. In OASE, design serves not only as a design element, but also as a visual enrichment of the text content.
Martens and his students are working on creating a magazine. Despite the wide range of modern design solutions, he strives to find methods to minimize costs.
In the modern world, given the rapid progress of digital technology, we have a huge number of "ingredients" for creativity. Nowadays, you can order any font and color, but that doesn't make the creation process any easier. Designers still set certain limits for themselves. Together with my students, we publish the architectural magazine OASE. Despite limited financial resources, we have plenty of freedom. Nevertheless, we still set certain conditions for ourselves, limit visual solutions, and seek ways to make the cover and layout expressive while using minimal resources. This transforms our work from mundane to an exciting adventure, which is key, because routine is the worst thing that can happen to a designer.
Karel Martens in his interview for Look At Me.
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Colours on the beach
As part of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Le Havre, Karel Martens carried out A rebranding of the beach houses. Ten different colors and six stripe formats were used in the design, in accordance with the city's architectural code. Suite702 subsequently introduced a towel collection inspired by the Colors on the Beach palette.
Karel also released a book with the same title, which is divided into four sections. It describes in detail the stages of work, the color solutions used, and the basic principles for creating color and size combinations.
Clockworks
Martens creates kinetic sculptures and architectural structures using clock mechanisms, printed materials, and found objects.
Some items in this collection arouse curiosity and encourage viewers to think. For example, one clock unusually alternates between the numbers six and nine, while on another the inscription ON changes to NO depending on the movement of the hands. In this way, Martens emphasizes that time is something that can be experimented with.
Karel placed the print on glass discs and fixed them onto the clock hands. When the hands begin to move, a moiré effect is created.
Pentagram Office
At Pentagram design studio in London, Martens was responsible for the design of the office spaces. On the glass partitions, he created an illustration of the coastline, using a variety of icons, as well as large numbers made of bright stripes. Thanks to this, the work areas not only look bright and open, but also maintain an atmosphere of privacy.
Designer prints for DUM chairs
In collaboration with the Dutch furniture company DUM Office, Karel has developed four unique fabric designs for armchair upholstery. For this project, Martens used prints from his 2021 Patterns collection, and the textiles were created by Byborre, which uses its innovative pixel-to-needle platform, Create™. Each design is available in five different color options.
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Decorative wall prints from Maharam
The Martens company, which specializes in the production of textiles and finishing materials, has developed a series of art installations consisting of many bright icons. With the help of these small graphic elements, the designer was able to present such images as space, peony and clouds. The collection culminates in a work that reproduces a photograph of the sky on the day of Karel's grandson's birthday.
The digital work, titled Mixed ##, was created using the CMYK color model. Martens created many Arabic numerals using color bands with varying saturation.
Fabrics from Liberty Fabrics: Exquisite Materials for Creativity
As part of the Liberty Fabrics SS24 textile collection, Martens developed a series of monotypes, which were then enlarged, organized, and transferred to fabric under his careful guidance.
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Sheila Hicks is a prominent artist known for her unique projects that have become iconic in the world of contemporary art. Her works are distinguished by an unusual approach to textiles and a vibrant visual language. Let's look at six of the most famous projects that made her name famous.
The first project is "Waves." This installation, made of colorful textiles, creates a sense of movement and dynamism, immersing viewers in the atmosphere of living nature.
The second on the list is "The Fabric of Time," in which Hicks uses various weaving techniques to convey ideas about time and its passage. The works in this series make us think about how our perception of time changes.
The third project is "Sounds of Textiles," in which the artist combines sound elements with visual imagery, creating a unique experience for viewers. This installation emphasizes the connection between different art forms.
Fourth in line is "Interweavings." Here, Sheila explores the interaction of textiles with space, creating volumetric structures that change depending on the viewing angle. This project demonstrates how textiles can influence the perception of the environment.
The fifth project is "Colors of Life." In this work, Hicks uses vibrant hues and complex patterns to convey the emotions and feelings we experience in everyday life. This piece inspires reflection on the human inner world.
Finally, the sixth project is "Roots and Branches," in which the artist addresses themes of identity and belonging. She uses textiles to create images that reflect people's connections to their cultural heritage.
These six projects by Sheila Hicks highlight her mastery of textiles and her deep understanding of art as a medium.
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- Marianne Brandt has completed numerous interesting projects, five of which stand out. These initiatives demonstrate her creativity and commitment to innovation.
The first project focuses on design, in which Brandt uses unique materials to create functional and aesthetically pleasing objects. The second project focuses on organizing exhibitions, where she aims to showcase the work of emerging artists and designers, supporting them early in their careers.
The third project includes educational programs aimed at teaching young people the fundamentals of design and creative thinking. The fourth project involves collaborations with other artists, creating synergies and uncovering new ideas.
Finally, the fifth project is dedicated to sustainable development, where Brandt actively promotes the use of environmentally friendly materials and approaches in design. These projects not only highlight her professionalism but also reflect her future-oriented philosophy.
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- Fashion has a rich and diverse history, in which famous fashion houses occupy a special place. These institutions not only create clothing but also shape cultural trends, reflecting changes in society and lifestyle. Fashion houses tend to become symbols of elegance and innovation, and their collections often set the tone for the entire industrial movement.
One of the first and most influential fashion houses was Chanel, founded by Coco Chanel in the early 20th century. She not only changed the perception of women's clothing by freeing women from corsets, but also introduced a style that combined comfort and elegance into fashion. Her famous little black dress became a style icon.
Equally significant are houses such as Dior, which became famous for its "New Look" collection in 1947. This style emphasized femininity and silhouette, which was a revolution in post-war fashion. Dior demonstrated how fashion can influence the perception of women's role in society.
Italian fashion also has its titans, such as Gucci, Prada, and Versace. These brands are known for their unique designs and high-quality materials. They not only uphold traditions but also introduce new ideas, making them relevant for many years.
An important part of fashion history is its influence on social movements and cultural changes. Fashion houses often become platforms for self-expression and the demonstration of social positions, which lends additional significance to their work.
Thus, fashion houses play a key role not only in the creation of clothing but also in shaping cultural standards, reflecting the spirit of the times and changing ideals of beauty. Their legacy continues to influence the world of fashion and the lifestyle of people around the world.
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Specialization in graphic design: The path to professionalism
You will master the process of developing elements of corporate identity and visual Graphics for business. Create a portfolio that showcases your unique style and demonstrates your design skills. This will open the opportunity for you to start a career both in a studio and on freelance platforms.
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