komma 30 – Aus Dem Verborgenen

With its 30th issue, komma—the design magazine of the University of Applied Sciences, Mannheim—didn’t just mark a milestone. It unearthed one.

Entirely curated, designed, and produced by students, komma has long served as a platform for showcasing the breadth of creative work emerging from the university’s Design Faculty. Each edition is led by a new editorial team, giving every issue its own distinct identity and theme. But for this anniversary edition, the team set their sights on something deeper: the unseen.

Under the title aus dem Verborgenen (from the hidden), komma 30 turns its focus inward—to the archives, to forgotten corners, and to the stories behind the stories. Across 320 pages printed in stark black and HKS 13 N, the issue functions not only as a survey of current student work—bachelor’s, master’s, semester, and independent projects—but also as a living document of the magazine’s own history. A flipbook element cleverly guides the reader through the chapters, threading together moments both past and present.

The editorial process itself became an act of excavation. Over 100 former editors—referred to as kalumni—were interviewed or surveyed, offering insight into the evolution of the magazine over time. Alongside these conversations, the team carried out extensive archival research, bringing to light editions once buried in basement storage. What emerged is more than a printed object. As part of the project, a dedicated digital archive was created, offering open access to the full run of komma issues via a new website. This move not only preserves the publication’s legacy, but ensures its relevance far beyond the university walls. komma 30 is a celebration—but one that looks into the shadows, asks new questions, and refuses to leave the past untouched!

komma 30 – Aus Dem Verborgenen

Publisher: University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Faculty of Design
Editors: Vivian Gölz, Maris Baust, Mo Braun, Linda Armbrust, Carla Hollstein
Co-development: Lena Brzoska
Release: April 2025
Format: 61 × 71 cm
Volume: 320 pages
Language: German
Printing: ABT Print und Medien GmbH

Further information here.