swissmiss

Anyone Can Swiss

www.anyonecanswiss.com

(thank you moncef)

Logo Design Process

Swiss Designer David Pache shares his logo design process.

(via twittering david airey)

open house at the academy of art and design in basel, switzerland

The Academy of Art and Design is having an Open House tomorrow. The visual communication institute looks back on a long history particularly in typographic design, which was influenced by the work of teachers like Emil Ruder, Jan Tschichold, Armin Hoffmann and Wolfgang Weingart. On friday, january 16th, the academy opens its doors to provide everybody an insight into the diverse courses of studies.

Detailled information and program.

(thank you oliver)

Vintage Travel Brochure Graphics

Travel brochure "Luzern - Das Zentrum des Auto-Tourismus - 50 Auto-Touren," circa 1932. Back cover. Unsigned. How beautiful is this? Check out the entire collection of Vintage Travel Brochure Graphics.

(thank you Leendert)

A question for my swiss readers...

I have an odd question for my swiss readers: Do you know where I can get an mp3 of that SBB jingle that plays at train stations right before a train arrives or they say an announcement over the intercom? I spent quite some time searching online but came up empty handed.

Observations from our (ongoing) trip to the swiss alps...

I apologize for the sudden hiatus in posting. This little family traveled to the swiss alps and things got a little hectic as the trip was approaching. We, once again, did a house swap with a swiss family. I can not recommend this way of traveling enough. We are staying in a *beautiful* 2 bedroom apartment in St.Gallen (north east of Switzerland) with a beautiful view over the old town and the alps. And our hosts even left us the key to their car! I was chuckling when we entered our temporary new home for the first time as there was a sign above the main entrance that said 'built in 1907'. Our place in Brooklyn was built in 2007. A whopping 100 years difference. Ha!

A few first observations:

- Ella used her new Trunki for the first time and it was a big hit. She ran around with it on the airport and made quite a few heads turn.

- One thing that makes G and me laugh every time we travel to Switzerland is the fact they never (!) even open his passport upon arrival in Zurich. They would not open it. Just wouldn't. They always wave us through. Not quite the experience one has when traveling to the USA, for sure.

- I can't get over how amazing tap water tastes here. Both G and I go into raving mode every time we fill our glasses and start drinking. One could think we are talking about a really expensive bottle of red vino.

- Swiss public transportation is a delight; Clean, well designed, on time. (I think it would be reason enough for G to move here.)

- Switzerland is the land of indoor pools, it seems. G and I are always looking forward to our 'swimming adventures' especially now, with Ella getting into it. I am wondering, why swimming is not more part of american (youth) past time? And I don't mean straight up swimming, I mean just going to pools and hang out, have fun, go on slides, play on the big inflatable toys they put out. It's such a huge part of swiss culture. Growing up, I'd at least go to a pool once a week.

- When at a supermarket, you need to weigh your veggies and fruit yourself. (each item has a corresponding number that you need to hit when putting your selected items on the appropriate scale in the veggie/fruit department.) I forget this *every* single time and earn angry, impatient looks upon check-out. Oopsie!

- I love that they have tiny shopping carts at most swiss supermarkets. Ella's smile, when pushing one of these around, is priceless.

- The swiss sure are organized to the core. Check out this drawer in my (crazy cool) aunt's kitchen:

- Jet lag going *to* Europe with a little one is not the problem, it's coming back to the US. For some reason, Ella adjusts to swiss time right away, every time we make it to Switzerland. Going back is a different story.

- Oh, and: Traveling with a toddler *can* be fun!

swisstweets.ch

Swisstweets.ch is a directory of all Swiss Twitter Users. Check out the Directory page. Obviously Twitter has not really taken off yet in Switzerland...

Freitag iPhone sleeve

Just introduced: The new F22 iPhone sleeve by FREITAG features individual roadkill tarp designs, a nifty quick-accept strap (inspired by parachutists) and a nice, velvety lining that automatically cleans your precious. Arguably the next best Swiss invention since Ricola. I like it!

AIGA SmallTalk: Lars Müller

What a treat to have fellow swiss, Lars Müller, speak at one of the wonderful AIGA Small Talks here in NYC. Lars Müller is a well respected figure in the graphic design, architecture and photography publishing world. You might know or own the infamous Helvetica: Homage to a Typeface Book, which is definitely one of my favorites.

Michael Bierut introduced Lars Müller, pointing out how impressed he is by the fact that even though Müller is mostly his own client, he doesn't become self-indulgent but manages to stay focused and maintain a very straight-forward, objective design sense. Bierut admires how Müller's layouts always look precise, engaging and guide the reader right to the content.

In his presentation Lars Müller went through his impressive roster of architecture, design and photography books he's published. He started off his presentation with the question: Why the hell do all designers want to design books? Müller tells us about his realization and fascination about a book being a graphic design medium which is meant to last. His first publishing experiment was Die gute Form, by the schweizer werkbund, a post bauhaus movement. It was his first book publishing experience and his first experience for this full responsibility for a product. "When you are your own client you really have to do this odd self-dialogue with yourself. You always have to try to anticipate the expectations of your audience."

What became clear from his talk was that Müller always builds up a close relationship to the subject, author or the artist of the book. And that relationship is what has kept him independent so far. He explains that he does books with friends or that authors become friends. "This is the privilege of a one-man business".

Müller points out how gathering the actual content of a book is such a huge process and part of the design of a book. And he admits that every book he publishes has a little biographical annotation or relationship to something that plays a role in his life.

Müller explained how he sees the designer as a 'political being'. "Designers tend to escape into the niche of beauty. We give a value to what we do but somehow the political awareness disapears." Müller started thinking about the possibilities and capacities he had to bring 'a message across' with his work. It's this thinking that led him to create The Face of Human Rights.

He points out how everything we do in our life is somewhat connected to human rights. The visual idea of this book was to express normality, as the best expression of human rights is normality, every day life, freedom, normal behavior.

Another comment that I thought was interesting was his thought on 'a rhythm of reading': "When you look through a visual book you get into rhythm and you start to breath in a certain rhythm, and reading shouldn't stop that rhythm. That's why in some of his books the copy is short enough to guide you on this path of 'visual reading'.

Müller points out how editing images for a book is design work. "Never expect an editor to hand the images over to you. Involve yourself in editing process. Celebrate images you like!"

One of the guests asked what the Human Rights book means for Lars Müller Publishers going forward as it seems to have been a turning point in his career. His answer: "I made one step out of the niche but still stay there! I now simply have an expanded playground. Its not a reaction against something I've done before, I just expanded my territory. I still believe the aesthetic culture is a very strong engine in driving and teaching our society functions and how we relate to other societies."

swiss weltwoche gets a new website...

I rarely put on my 'swissmiss criticism hat' but but the redesign of the DIE WELTWOCHE website has me stunned. (Die Weltwoche is a weekly swiss newspaper) How in the world did the Weltwoche management give a sign-off on this design? I don't even know where to start in pointing out the flaws... It feels to me as if the developers happened to have worked off an unfinished mockup.

A company called Kircher Burkhardt created it. Looking at their portfolio, I can clearly say they are pros when it comes to editorial print design, but obviously don't have much experience with the web. What a missed opportunity. (enter sigh here)

Dear Weltwoche, In case you are considering another redesign, I would love to help.

Schweizer Militärvelo M05 Swiss military bicycle 1951

Oh, I would love to have one of these swiss army bikes to cruise around here in Brooklyn. You can get them at this ebay store, that is if you have deep pockets.

(via dinosaursandrobots and jonhuck)

Roman Signer Screening at the Swiss Institute

'water boots' roman signer, 1986 (photo: marek rogowiec)

Roman Signer is a swiss artist living and working in the area I grew up in. A man with an impressive creative mind. I was thrilled to learn that the Swiss Institute here in New York is showing one of his movies: Restenfilm is a special screening of Roman Signer's work. Resten translates as leftovers in German. Throughout his career, the artist has used frequently a Super-8 camera as visual sketchbook. From avalanches to small experiments in his backyard, the leftovers of Signer’s artistic life are spectacular and poetic at once. Following the screening Roman Signer will answer questions from the audience. More info here.

Switzerland Places Ban on the Humiliation of Plants

Switzerland Places Ban on the Humiliation of Plants, by Meg Hamill

(thank you sabine)

designs by lifegoods

I read about Lifegoods in the most recent issue of insidemagazine. Check out all the fantastic designs this Switzerland based design collective has come up with:

Two Lamps

Ceiling Light

BirdHouse

LifeGoods

Blog/A Brief History of Emil Ruder

A page from Typographie. The phrase, “nach Mass” translates to, “made to measure” Photo: insect54

Past examples of structured grid design and typography by Swiss masters such as Josef Müller-Brockmann continue to influence both print and interactive design to this day. However, after realizing there is no shortage of Müller-Brockmann fan clubs, I wanted to explore some of the other, maybe lesser-known founders of the International Typographic Style. My search led me to a typographer and designer by the name of Emil Ruder (1914-1970), who played a key part in the development and dissemination of the Swiss Style.

Blog/A Brief History of Emil Ruder

(via xplane)

Swiss Yves Rossi is planning to fly across the Channel. This is nuts.

(thank you david)

a font with no name

I was looking through Jessica Scheurer's portfolio and this font, in the misc section had me look. Pretty! Jessica is swiss and a recent graduate from ECAL (University of Art of Lausanne, Switzerland). She is looking to switch continents and is trying to find herself an internship/job here in the big apple. Like her work? Email her!

Mr.Wurfel

Another fantastic shortfilm by Rafael Sommerhalder: Mr.Wurfel.

swiss solar car

The Solar Car. Awesome.

In Switzerland, even gangsters try to be efficient and civilized.

Peter's wallet was stolen in Switzerland. Three days later, he received an e-mail from a local postmaster. The Post Office found his wallet in an official yellow Swiss mailbox. All the cash was gone, obviously. But his ID cards, credit cards and even old receipts were still there, completely untouched. “Thieves do this very often”, the postmaster told him. “They take the money and throw the wallet in the next mailbox.”

Swiss Gangsters

Johannes Itten: Die Farbe

Johannes Itten: Die Farbe, designed by Max Bill, 1944

8 products for the single man

In urban Switzerland more than every second household is kept by a single living man. Valentin Engler, Marius Morger, Daniel Grolimund developed seven products for the 'single men household'.

My favorite: The Keyboard Napkin: No more crumbs in your keyboard thanks to our keyboard-napkin!

happy swiss national day everyone.

Happy swiss national day everyone! August 1st is to the Swiss what July 4th is to Americans. As you can see, I dressed our little Ella accordingly this morning. I wish I could be celebrating with my friends and family back home today. I will sure toast to everyone during lunch. Bubbly stuff in order! Yay!

swiss trash bags with typography

This swissmiss is still transmitting from the swiss alps and loving it. I couldn't help but take a picture when putting out the trash bags. Garbage bags here in Speicher have huge giant Helvetica A's printed on them. In order to throw out the trash here you need to buy region specific garbage bags which have a disposal-tax included. Each region has their own garbage bag design. Would be fantastic to see them all in a collection. Flickr anyone?

Signers Suitcase (Kurhaus Weissbad)

(thank you for reminding me of this one, Marco)

random impressions from switzerland

The mighty Saentis. Today we got to enjoy it in its full glory. Most of the times G hears me say: "This is where you could see the Saentis now, if it wasn't covered in clouds!"

It keeps amazing me how engrained graphic design is into swiss culture. Check this old-school but awesome logo of a small regional butcher.

Some things haven't changed since I've left this place: They still use old Fiat Panda's for the mail delivery in my hometown.

Helvetica E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E-! (picture above taken at the Freibad Teufen)

waving from the swiss alps

Yay, I am blogging from Switzerland. Having lived in New York for nearly 10 years now has turned me into the biggest tourist when in Switzerland. Having G at my side, pointing out things that make him look, helps to experience Switzerland with the eyes of a non-swiss.

Here are a few thoughts on Zurich: G and I are amazed at the overall high standard of swiss living. Everything seems in tip-top-shape. Apartments are spacious and impressively well maintained. Getting around with trams is a truly pleasant experience. (Really!) Don't get me wrong, I fully embrace the NYC subway but nothing beats a clean, non-crowded, non-smelly tram to fully explore and enjoy a city.

Seeing the amazing Letten RIVER Bath almost pushed us over the edge. Not only is this public 'pool' right in the center of Zurich, it's clean, well maintained and free! The small kids pool, right next to the Limmat river had Ella nearly hyperventilate. Who can resist a giant mushroom emitting water?

G and I kept looking at each other in complete disbelief, that this oasis could be in 2 minute walking distance from our friends apartment smack middle in Zurich. We are no longer surprised Zurich keeps winning the "Most Livable City" title.

After having spent the first 3 days of our trip in Zurich we now are enjoying country side bliss in an area called Appenzellerland. We can't wait to be woken up by cowbell sounds tomorrow morning. Oh, and I can't wait to read the product copy in all the different languages on my milk/cereal/yoghurt tomorrow at breakfast. Yay for a multilingual country.

swiss medicine box

Medicine Box with White Cross

(via bemlegaus)

Markus Notter | Swiss Policitian

Markus Notter is a politician in Zurich, Switzerland has a highly amusing website (all in swiss-german, sorry). Visiting his site gives you the illusion of meeting him in person. Definitely a refreshing and humorous approach to a politicians website. I love how if you stay on a
site too long he excuses himself eventually and leaves the browser window. Concept by Michi Ruegg.

(thank you sorella)

Itbox Furniture System

Valérie Jomini and Stanislas Zimmermann Itbox Furniture System. Oh, more cool furniture ideas for our new office. Swoon.

Swiss Business Etiquette

This article on Swiss Business Etiquette had me chuckle a few times and had me realize that I've been in NYC for a long time now...

Negotiations:

When negotiating with German or French Swiss, objective facts and detailed information is more important than subjective feelings. Thorough presentations, which emphasize logic and efficiency, are generally more effective. Restraint in voice and manner is also more important when doing business with German and French Swiss.

The Swiss are not known to rush into decision-making, signing agreements, contracts, and the like. It may jeopardize the progress of negotiations to press for a decision.

Patience is thought essential to success in Switzerland, where hard-sell high-pressure tactics are often unsuccessful.

(via sweetcaffeine)

made me look

Spread out of Herbert Weber's Artist Booklet, designed by swiss Megi Zumstein & Claudio Barandun

(thank you peter)

countdown font

Countdown font by swiss designer Megi Zumstein & Claudio Barandun.

(thank you peter)

Swiss Favorite Pastime: Recycling

This post over at swissstoryblog had me look. Last summer in Switzerland, I showed G the recycling station in the town I grew up in, Speicher. It's impressivly clean and well designed. I wish recycling was more engrained into people's DNA here in NYC. Still can't believe people throw batteries into the regular garbage here. Swiss Favorite Pastime: Recycling.

(The picture above shows a recycling station in St.Gallen, Switzerland. The goal, making recycling fun for kids, is fully achieved!)

Zurich tops Mercer quality of living survey for seventh time

Zurich is still the best place to live, according to an international survey of the world's biggest cities. Read the article.

TOP TEN: QUALITY OF LIFE
1. Zurich
2. Vienna
2. Geneva
4. Vancouver
5. Auckland
6. Dusseldorf
7. Munich
7. Frankfurt
9. Bern
10. Sydney

Uhm, where's Brooklyn? They must have made a mistake...

Sound of Switzerland

This video made me smile. Only two more weeks and we'll be waking up to this sound. YAY!

"zu gast bei verlierern"

“Hosted by Losers” EuroCup 2008 Tee. Had me chuckle.

question for my swiss readers...

G, Ella Joy and I will be spending 3 days in Zurich early next month. What is one to do with a 2 year old in lovely Zurich? Any ideas?

(image by Beat Kueng)

Freitag F84 Mac Sleeve Air Case

Freitag F84 Mac Sleeve Air Case

gigantic soccer statues in zurich train station

The most remarkable thing about these statues is not that one of them has no buttocks, nor that they are about 10 meters tall. Most interesting is the fact that it was actually claimed by the two rent-a-cops (pictured in this panorama) that photography of these statues was illegal....because the images of these statues belong to Adidas and no one else (never mind the dozens of mobile phone cameras snapping away, to our left and right.) Oh dear... Well, after a short scuffle with these two security guards, some real police came, who obviously knew better than to restrict a harmless activity in a public place. Thank you, Swiss police, for protecting me from these bone-headed 'security guards'." (Marco, a reader, sent me this in an email, don't know who wrote it originally)

(thank you Marco)