Art of Khayameya Publication: “Beauty in What is Hidden”

Khayamiya, an ancient Cairo-born craft that once adorned tents and pavilions, now faces the brink of extinction. Yet, its dedicated craftsmen persevere, weaving intricate beauty and hope for its revival. “Beauty in What is Hidden” delves into this artistry, featuring French folds with poetic verses co-written with artisans and handmade covers crafted with the tent’s fabric, dak. It invites viewers to see through the craft, unveiling channeled years of practice, experience, and dedication.

A Flight of Longing

Inspired by the iconic folk song ‘Yama Hamamy Sarah’ this handcrafted Khayameya celebrates Egyptian traditional folklore. Titled “Flight of Longing”, this piece dives into the depths of longing and tradition echoing through generations. Central to the design is the silhouette of the Borg Hammam, standing steadfast as a bridge connecting the past to the present, where the song of a single pigeon whispers tales of resilience, nostalgia, and the eternal dance of the human heart.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT POSTCARDS VOL.01

This postcard collection, explores the intersection of culture and food. Each postcard mimics a recipe card, featuring instructions for preparing dishes. The focus is on Tteokbokki, a Korean dish of cylindrical rice cakes in a sweet chili glaze. This project delves into both the physical and design aspects of cultural cuisine, offering a unique perspective on the connection between food and creativity.

EMBEDDED DEPENDENCES

This publication, born Branding Design course, evolved into a three-volume series exploring agriculture and the environment through storytelling. Each volume, 1.historical narratives, 2.challenges, and 3.acknowledgments, connect chronologically through symbolic colors: red for narrative allure, brown for depth, blue for calm, and green for closure. Combining photography and text, it blends editorial and artistic elements, questioning the balance between aesthetics and functionality.

مذكرات عيني وخط سكاكر / Mozakerat Aini & Khaat Sakaker

This project is a chaotic personal memoir captured through six moments, using postcard frames and symbolic elements to evoke emotions reflecting each scene. Tied to the Khaat Sakaker typeface, a blend of Arabic calligraphy and personal heritage. They collectively explore themes of vulnerability, family, and grief. Khaat Sakaker serves as both a tribute to home and a reflection of identity, blending sophistication and sentimentality

Readymag as Type Playground

Readymag, a no-code tool for creating outstanding websites, started with love for digital zines and typography. Here’s how you can make its typography features work for your goals.

Choose

Pick a font from Readymag’s vast free library of fonts, or upload your custom one.

Tweak 

Customize it with Advanced Typography: ligatures, stylistic sets, tabular figures, fractions, and small caps. Go even more flexible in the boldness and proportions with the Variable Fonts option.

Example: Pivot Grotesk website gallantly uses a custom cursor, Shots—frame-by-frame animation linked to scroll—and object animation to convey the concepts behind the font.

Lay out & Animate

Reinforce your typographic solutions with a unique layout—no limitations here—and add no-code animations.

Example: The “Welcome” project landing relies on just a few fonts, but their size, position, and transparency change as you go, which makes the page as dynamic as a movie. 

Enjoy your smooth design

Take a moment to appreciate how your creative solutions in typography and animation help you hit your mark.

readymag.com

Sweetness in this City مذاقٌ حلوٌ في المدينةِ

Last winter in Berlin felt heavy, with tensions rising after the ban on pro-Palestinian protests and a growing sense of division. In this atmosphere, I began noticing everyday objects with a sense of nostalgia, as if they carried new meaning. This inspired my zine, themed “Home,” a collection of objects that tell personal stories. Like a mini museum of memories, it explores how thoughtful curation makes the mundane significant, inviting others to reflect on their own ties to “Home.”

Werkschau Magazine 2024 Mannheim

This year, the Faculty of Design at Mannheim University of Applied Sciences hosted a birthday party for design itself, which turns 100 years old—or at least in the city of Mannheim. From November 8th to 10th, Veruschka Götz, a dedicated typographer and professor of design, organized the faculty’s tenth annual Werkschau at the Mannheim Kunstverein.

Accompanying the event, a six-person team of students cataloged the works in the exhibition magazine, which was released as the 29th edition of the self-managed komma magazine series.

Spanning 152 pages under the theme “RGB and Freaking Out,” the publication offers insights into courses, highlights the best bachelor’s and master’s thesis projects in communication design, and looks to the future. The idea of “freaking out” doesn’t just symbolize the 100-year celebration but can also be taken literally—breaking out of the grid. Typography plays a subtle role in this rebellion, causing disruptions without losing clarity in its design.

The magazine’s standout feature is affectionately called the “chunky plastic spiral,” along with colorful chapter dividers that segment the content. The cover begins in symbolic solid black, transitions to vibrant colors inside, and concludes with a white back cover. As part of the launch event, several covers were spray-painted with red, blue, and green paint, forming a collective artwork. Throughout the rest of the exhibition, visitors were invited to take creative control, customizing their own copies as they pleased.

But one question remains—what’s with all the horses? Horses, often seen as wild animals, symbolize freedom. They’re known to kick back when something doesn’t sit right with them. This spirit is something we should carry forward after the challenges of the past century. Every generation of designers must face their own set of adversaries—be it Hitler, AI, or the ongoing attempts to financially starve our craft. So go wild, little horses! Let’s kick back and make our mark.

The team includes: Ann-Sophie Breitung, Tessa Breuer, Sarah Ciccarese, Luisa Forberger, Jona Missal, Nyaz Schmitt

Blossom in my imagination

This book is a heartfelt conversation with Laila Al-Husseini, the author’s late grandmother, who lived through displacement and carried her Palestinian identity across Jerusalem, Damascus, Cairo, and Amman. Using ChatGPT, the author reimagines the dialogue they never had, uncovering her emotions, challenges, and connection to her roots. *Blossom in My Imagination* reflects the essence of the homeland through a blend of roots and aspirations, connecting her story to Palestine’s enduring spirit.

This Is What We Found Our Fathers Upon

Egyptians tend to follow their traditional values unequivocally, as they provide a sense of belonging and keep them grounded in their roots and identity. These traditions stem from various origins, serving as a guide in daily life and influencing how Egyptians judge situations and those around them. At times, followed without logical reasoning, it’s worth questioning why we conform to these traditions, examining their hold on us, and reflecting on their consequences for ourselves and others.

Aby Fawk Al Shagara/أبي فوق الشجرة

This movie poster was created for a university course where we explored a different design technique and film genre each week. For this particular poster, the assignment was to incorporate geometric shapes. The film featured the renowned song “Do’o Al Shamasy”, which is about umbrellas on the beach. To reflect this theme, I used paper cutouts to form the shapes of umbrellas, blending the song’s imagery with the geometric style required for the project.

Verein für die Schwarze Kunst

The Verein für die Schwarze Kunst (Association for the Black Arts), established in 2013, is dedicated to preserving traditional letterpress printing and typesetting. Over the past six years, it has awarded scholarships for an eight-week program where young individuals learn these crafts at nearly 30 workshops across Europe. To date, the association has invested € 35,000, with workshops volunteering their time. It also seeks to have letterpress printing recognized as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

To mark the 111th anniversary of poet Christian Morgenstern’s death on March 31st, 2025, the association is producing a handcrafted book featuring his works. This project is a collaboration with Johannes Follmer of Homburg Paper Mill, the MDE – Master Bookbinders International, and various bookbinders. Morgenstern, renowned for his “Galgenlieder,” is highly regarded in typographic circles, making this a fitting tribute.

The book will include texts typeset and printed manually using pre-1914 typefaces, complemented by illustrations in traditional techniques. The handmade paper—4,000 sheets in total—is being created at Homburg Paper Mill with contributions from scholarship recipients, alumni, and members. Additional papermaking sessions are planned for 2024. Approximately 10,000 pages will be hand-printed, assembled into five folded sections, and distributed to 20 bookbinders selected by the MDE. Each binder will craft a unique artistic binding for one book, which will be displayed in exhibitions, while additional copies will feature simplified bindings.

This project celebrates the craftsmanship of papermaking, printing, and bookbinding while honoring Morgenstern’s legacy, with its completion planned for March 2025.

The Büchergilde Gutenberg will serve as the exclusive partner for 111 copies of the Prêt-à-porter editions. Proceeds from these sales will be shared among the Association for the Black Arts, the MDE, and Johannes Follmer to support their work and cover paper production costs. At least one exhibition is planned at the Christian Morgenstern Literature Museum in Werder an der Havel, which opened in 2014 for the poet’s 100th anniversary and is part of the “Märkische Dichterstraße” literary route.

Further information here.

Yearbook of Type #7

Building on the success of its predecessors, the Yearbook of Type #7 presents an updated design concept that features new interfaces and fresh features for an enhanced reading experience on 608 (!) pages. With a thematic focus on plants, this edition offers a unique perspective on typography and presents a wide range of new and high-quality fonts, where there is something for every purpose and taste. 

Each typeface is now showcased on three pages and offers a comprehensive overview of its properties and characteristics: A double page spread with an appealing visual sample of the font emphasizes the character of the font. The third page offers a detailed overview of the font and its special features, information on language support, styles, weights and widths, OpenType features, and detailed background information about the designer and the foundry. 

A comprehensive index allows for quick reference, while the online microsite enables easy browsing and direct purchases. The book is accompanied by a freely accessible online microsite, which allows easy browsing and direct purchase of all the fonts presented. 

– Detailed presentation of 180 recent typefaces
– Ample background information
– Index of all 206 type designers and 108 foundries from 29 countries
– Explanation of all OpenType features
– An online microsite that directly links the typefaces to the foundries’ websites (from this edition, as well as editions 3 through 6) 

Presented type foundries: 205TF, AG Typography Institute, AinsiFont, Alex Slobzheninov, Ampersand Type Foundry, Antipixel Type Studio, Apex Type Foundry, Azuliq Type, Bastarda Type, Binnenland, Black[Foundry], Blast Foundry, Blaze Type, Bleifrei Type, Bureau Sebastian Moock, BVH Type, Cadson Demak, Cape Arcona, CRU Brand Consultancy, CSTM Fonts, Darden Studio, Detail Type Foundry, Displaay Type Foundry, DSType Foundry, edition.studio Type Foundry, Fabio Haag Type, Fable, Face2Face, Faire Type, Fatype, Fincker Font Cuisine, Fontwerk, Formula Type, Frere-Jones Type, Friederike Wagner, Frost, Fuenfwerken Design AG, Gradient Type, Hanken Design Co.®, Hoftype, Huy! Fonts, It’s Just Letters, Jeremy Tankard Typography, Kobu™ Foundry, Kontour Type, LA BOLDE VITA, Latinotype, Lazydogs Typefoundry, Le Laïc: Type Foundry, Lian Olsen, Lift Type, Mark van Leeuwen, Monolith, Morisawa.Inc, Mostardesign Type Foundry, NEW LETTERS, nice to type, Nonspace, Nouvelle Noire, Nova Type Foundry, Ntsal, OPS Type, Paratype, Peter Schmidt Group, phosphorus, Playtype, Posterizer KG, Range Left Shop, RazziaType, Retype, Revolver Type, Rosetta Type Foundry, Sacha Rein, Schriftlabor, Sharp Type, Stan Hema, Studio Bollo, Studio Principle, Studio Rene Bieder, sugargliderz, Text Field Office, The Northern Block, Thomas Hirter, tictactype, TIGHTYPE, André Toet, Tour de Force Font Foundry, TYPE FIRM, TypeMates, Typerepublic, TypeTogether, Typogama, Typonym, Typotheque, Ultra Kuhl, Viktor Nübel Type Design, VJ Type, W Type Foundry, Wannatype, WELTKERN® Typefaces, XYZ Type, Zakznak, Zetafonts

The Yearbook of Type #7 is a must-have for typography enthusiasts—a go-to source for finding the perfect typeface or a spark of inspiration!

Yearbook of Type #7

Plant Edition

Publisher: Slanted Publishers
Creative Direction: Lars Harmsen
Art Direction & Managing Editor: Juliane Lipp
Graphic Design Assistance: Linus Haug, Greta Landmann
Publishing Direction: Lars Harmsen, Julia Kahl
Release: November 2024
Format: 16 × 24 × 4 cm
Volume: 608 pages
Language: English
Printing: Offset with fluorescent spot-colors by Stober Medien
Workmanship: Stiff brochure, thread-stitching by Buchbinderei Spinner
Paper: Magno Matt (inside); SURBALIN ribbed (endpaper), PEYPRINT honan (cover) by peyer graphic
ISBN: 978-3-948440-77-0
Price: € 48.–

Buy Here.

Internship at Slanted Publishers—apply now!

Du liebst Typografie und Editorial Design und möchtest in einem internationalen Verlag arbeiten? Dann bist du bei uns genau richtig! Wir vergeben ein 6-monatiges Pflichtpraktikum im Bereich Redaktion/Grafik ab Ende Februar 2025 und suchen eine(n) engagierte(n) Studierende(n), der/die Lust hat zu erfahren, wie wir arbeiten und für 6 Monate Teil des Slanted-Teams wird.

Wir bieten:

  • Redaktionelle und grafische Mitarbeit am Slanted Magazin, insbesondere Ausgabe #46—Cairo
  • Redaktionelle Mitarbeit am Slanted Blog und den Social Media Channels
  • Einblicke in unsere Verlagstätigkeit (Konzeption, Redaktion, Organisation, Vertrieb, PR etc.)
  • Grafische Mitarbeit an unseren Publikationen
  • Studiofotografie, Bildbearbeitung
  • Verantwortungsvolle, selbstständige Arbeit und unter Anleitung
  • Mögliche Teilnahme an Designkonferenzen im Rahmen unserer Medienpartnerschaften

Das sollte der/die BewerberIn mitbringen:

  • Das Praktikum erfolgt im Rahmen eines studienbegleitenden Pflichtpraktikums an einer deutschen Hochschule (keine Ausnahmen möglich)
  • Abgeschlossenes Grundstudium im Bereich Grafikdesign (o. Ä.)
  • Sichere Anwendungskenntnisse in InDesign und Photoshop
  • Großes Interesse an neuen Strömungen in den Bereichen Typografie, Type Design, Design und Kultur
  • Redaktionelles Interesse
  • Selbstständigkeit, Weitblick, Flexibilität, Kreativität und Ideenreichtum
  • Sehr gute Deutsch- und Englischkenntnisse
  • Organisationstalent und Kommunikationsstärke
  • Gewissenhaftes und genaues Arbeiten

Das Praktikum bei Slanted Publishers findet vom 24.02.–29.08.2024 in Karlsruhe statt und wird vergütet. Bewerber*innen sollten erklären, warum sie ihr Praktikum bei uns machen möchten. Bitte richtet Eure vollständige Bewerbung als aussagefähiges PDF-Portfolio (Anschreiben, Lebenslauf, Arbeitsproben) ab sofort bis spätestens 01.12.2024 an Julia Kahl, [email protected]. Die Bewerbungsgespräche finden nach Sichtung aller Bewerbungen statt.

Wir freuen uns sehr auf Eure Bewerbung!

Heart on Sale

Heart on Sale is a poster inspired by personal experience, blending raw emotion with humor. Featuring a 3D revolving heart and the phrase “Oh Darling, I would sell you my heart for free,” it brings vulnerability to life. The low brightness and exposure create a moody, intimate atmosphere, mirroring the seriousness of the feeling. Paired with a playful call-to-action, the design balances sadness with lightheartedness, capturing the complexity of human emotions.

The Night Owls Club

A merch collaboration with Zei, The Night Owls Club challenges the status quo of streetwear by creating designs that tell a relatable story for Gen Z. With two designs—one inspired by the music scene and another for those pursuing their passions late at night—the collection embraces individuality. Featuring the statement, “We are the people of the night, the ones yearning for something more,” it celebrates the desire for self-expression and a deeper connection to personal aesthetics.

Return to Nowhere EP Re-Make

A redesign of Charlotte De Witte’s Return to Nowhere EP, this artwork reinterprets the music’s mood through illustration rather than photography, crafted to resonate on vinyl. The palette of moody blues and deep blacks reflects the darkness and edginess of techno, while subtle curves add a sense of fluidity and depth. Balancing bold contrasts with delicate details, the design captures the EP’s raw, immersive energy, drawing listeners into its atmosphere at first glance.

Beat the Heat

A collaboration with Brown Toast and Dara’s Ice Cream, this summer collection combines bold design, playful puns, and socially relevant humor. Using a sans serif font paired with Afrikola by Future Fonts, the project integrates experimental typography to push creative boundaries. Featuring a “ways to stay cool” guide with tips, jokes, and subtle brand promotion, it engages Egyptian audiences. The designs are available in two vibrant colorways: yellow and pink.

From Cold Steel to Colorful Art: The Unique Vision of Designer Mati Sipiora


Meet Mati Sipiora, a rising designer from Northern Poland whose distinctive furniture brand is redefining the possibilities of steel. Founded in December 2023, Mati’s brand, “Mati Sipiora,” crafts unique, hand-finished steel furniture, turning this traditionally cold material into warm, kinetic, and artistic pieces that elevate any living space.

Driven by a passion for innovative design and a commitment to quality, Mati’s approach stands out in the design world. Every piece is created in a family-run factory, where meticulous craftsmanship transforms steel into vibrant and dynamic forms. It’s no wonder that in such a short time, Mati’s work has gained recognition from major design and lifestyle magazines.

One of Mati’s most notable recent achievements was being invited to showcase his work at ISOLA Design Milano, a significant milestone in the international design community. There, he presented his now-iconic creation, the Poodle Armchair—a bestseller that embodies his playful yet sophisticated approach. The armchair captures the essence of Mati’s vision, blending modern aesthetics with an unexpected lightness and personality that resonates with a global audience.

To dive deeper into Mati’s inspirations, creative process, and plans for the future, we’re happy to present an exclusive interview with him right here on our blog!

Your work has a distinctly futuristic feel. What inspires you to push the boundaries of design, and how do you envision the role of product design evolving in the coming years?


It comes from my fascination with retro-futuristic aesthetics, where the imagined future in classics like Metropolis and The Jetsons merges nostalgia with visionary ideas. These influences create a foundation that lets me explore timelessness within futuristic concepts. Mid-20th century abstract art also inspires me, particularly for its ability to convey emotion and depth through form and color, encouraging me to infuse more abstraction into my work.

Experimenting with materials is where I find the most creativity, especially in pushing the structural and aesthetic potential of steel. I’m constantly inspired by how malleable, resilient, and enduring it is a material that, when tested, can take on unexpected shapes and create a sense of futuristic durability.

Looking to the future, I envision a shift toward quality over quantity in product design. As people grow more conscious of environmental impact, there will be a greater emphasis on using materials wisely and valuing sustainability, craftsmanship, and longevity. Designers will increasingly be tasked with not just creating beautiful, functional pieces but also ensuring they reflect a more sustainable, responsible approach.

How does Poland’s rich design heritage and craftsmanship influence your approach to product design, and do you incorporate any traditional elements into your contemporary work?

Poland’s design heritage deeply influences my work, particularly through the legacy of Julia Keilowa, who is my biggest inspiration. Keilowa was a pioneering Polish designer and silversmith in the 1930s known for her elegant, modernist metalwork. She blended functionality with sculptural beauty, using streamlined forms and luxurious materials that reflected both simplicity and sophistication. Her approach to design was groundbreaking; she thought deeply about form and material, pushing boundaries in ways that I really admire.

In my own work, I’m inspired by her commitment to material exploration and the way she gave each piece a unique character. Like Keilowa, I strive to combine form and function, pushing materials to their limits while respecting their natural qualities. This approach allows me to infuse a contemporary touch into my designs, rooted in the thoughtful craftsmanship and modernist spirit of Poland’s rich design heritage.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in design. How do you balance aesthetics, functionality, and environmental consciousness in your projects?

In my work, sustainability is integral to every design choice. I work exclusively with steel, a fully recyclable material known for its durability and strength. To enhance its environmental friendliness, I use polished stainless steel instead of relying on galvanizing processes. This approach allows me to showcase the natural beauty of the material itself—its raw luster and sleek finish. Additionally, polished stainless steel offers a sustainable advantage: if it scratches over time, it can be polished back to its original state repeatedly, extending its lifespan and maintaining its aesthetic appeal. This balance between aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability enables me to create timeless pieces that honor both craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.

With rapid advancements in technology and materials, how do you see the relationship between product design and emerging technologies shaping the products of tomorrow?

I choose to create my pieces using traditional methods, intentionally avoiding modern technologies like laser cutting and CNC. While these advancements are fantastic for mass production, my vision is to produce designs that embody the craftsmanship and hands-on expertise of skilled artisans. I believe that every slight flaw or imperfection in a piece adds to its character, reflecting the human touch that goes into creating it. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, I think products of tomorrow will benefit from a balance, where unique, handcrafted elements bring warmth and authenticity to modern design.

Thanks a lot for the insights! For those inspired by his designs, we’re also hosting a raffle on Instagram where you could win a Cosmic Tray in stainless steel from the Mati Sipiora collection. Stay tuned to learn more about Mati’s journey and enter for a chance to bring a piece of his kinetic art into your home!



The central fantasy bank notes

The central fantasy bank note is designed with a fantasy theme. Each note features hand-carved details, blending mythical creatures, enchanted landscapes, and whimsical elements to bring a touch of magic to the traditional concept of currency. The textured prints give a handcrafted, timeless feel, inviting viewers to explore a world where imagination holds value.

Yay Yay Ya Nassini

It is a lino cut poster made to visually capture the spirit of the song Yay Yay Ya Nassini. Each line and texture was hand-carved to reflect the rhythm and emotion of the music, bringing the song’s mood to life. I wanted the print to visually express the energy and emotion that I felt while listening to it.

Some Magazine #19—Ready

The 19th issue of Some Magazine explores the concept of endings—whether long-awaited, sudden, surprising, predictable, dramatic, or quiet. In his famous poem Stages, Hermann Hesse writes that every beginning holds “an inherent magic living within.” Endings, however, rarely claim much of this magic. The end makes no promises, inspires no hopes, and provides no direction. It simply marks the arrival at a final destination.

“Ready” is the theme of this issue. Although we know that nothing is ever truly complete or final, the drive to reach a point of “readiness” is a powerful companion and a motivating force in creative work.

In interviews with various artists, perspectives on “being ready” emerge: Jill Senft describes the process as “letting go and moving on,” while Jonathan Meese sees art as an “arch-necessity.” This issue’s works highlight both the power of process and the instinct to preserve, as seen in Kinda Ghannoum’s archive of Syrian graphic design.

As always, the magazine captures the world at a specific moment rather than as a complete compendium. Issue #19 arrives in print, ready.

A Magazine for Visual Inventors!

Some Magazine #19—Ready

Publisher: Slanted Publishers
Editor: University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, Prof. Sven Völker
Editor, Design: Yevheniia Shyrchenko, Fiete Prüfer, Felix Magnus Newrzella, Jolina Mumbela, Khaled Abdelrehim, Sara Malhas, Conquista Weineck, Ben Raisic, KimTuyen Truong
Volume: 80 pages
Format: 17 × 24 cm
Language: English
Workmanship: softcover with perfect binding, hot-foil embossing, full-color offset printing, uncoated paper
ISBN 978-3-948440-78-7
Price: €12.– (DE)

BUY.

Museum der Dinge

The Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge opens its new permanent exhibition on the Deutscher Werkbund and 20th- and 21st-century product and design culture. The exhibition will be held at its new location at Leipziger Straße 54 in Berlin-Mitte.

Presented in an Open Storage format, the updated exhibition showcases 15,000 objects from the 20th century to today. These items, invented and designed, produced and traded, bought, used, repaired, and discarded, invite visitors to explore questions about the nature of objects, our relationship with them, and their impact on daily life.

With the museum’s new, smaller space, some objects remain in storage, keeping certain themes unseen. However, Open Storage also features intentionally empty spaces that welcome external perspectives, expansions, and interventions, encouraging exploration and discussion on design and society.

Further information here.