The third issue of About Berlin Magazine has been published. It is a BI-own magazine format, which was conceived, implemented and produced by the first semester students of the BA program Graphic Design and Visual Communication, all on their own initiative and with the help of our course tutors, Prof. Alexander Tibus and Anna Bernhardt.
The 3rd issue of About Berlin Magazine is very appealing, both in terms of design and content. We are proud of the 79 pages and a total of 39 articles on insights, tutorials and stories around Berlin's neighborhoods, produced entirely at the BI by 40 students from 33 different countries.
The About Berlin Magazine was created as part of the course "Introduction to Graphic Design 1". The course teaches, among other things, creative techniques, idea generation methods, the basics of semiotics as well as layout and the use of softwares.
Click here to enjoy the online edition of the “About Berlin 3” issue!
Enjoy this Berlin journey designed by students from all over the world and use our very own guide to explore Berlin, the hippest places, the most notable sights, and everything in between.
As our BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication study program promises, throughout the project, our students had the opportunity to do practical exercises such as creating layouts, bookbinding, or drawing and to familiarize themselves with software skills, design thinking, and creative techniques. The practical approach was thus aimed at developing their creative personality – which is fully reflected in this issue!
All articles in the magazine were written and designed individually. The project demonstrates the basics of editorial design, including research, copywriting, editing, and illustration.
Due to the global pandemic, the beginning of the new term in fall 2020 proved to be exceptionally challenging. One third of our 40 first semester students were not present on campus when the Introduction to Graphic Design 1 course started. Travel restrictions, lock-downs, and visa issues forced them to participate from their home countries via laptop or mobile phone. Differing time zones meant that some attendees needed to rise early: A student in Mexico had to get up around 2AM in order to join us live at 9:15AM Berlin local time.
At the start of the course, each student was asked to create a graphic collage of a Berlin Kiez (German local slang for “neighborhood”). Then, a more hands-on exercise was introduced; everybody developed their personal Kiez Character. These graphical creations emerged from paper-cut collages, hand drawings, “pixelated” sketches on squared sheets, and digital illustrations. Keep an eye out, and you may recognize one or another of the Kiez Characters depicted in this magazine.
In the second half of the course, our students researched, wrote, designed and edited a double-page magazine spread that introduced specific aspects of the neighborhoods. Some who were not yet in Berlin, working remotely from India, Mexico, Pakistan, and other places, nonetheless contributed surprising insights about their chosen Kiez. All students benefited from international perspectives. Their weeks of engaged, creative work resulted in the offering you now hold in your hands.
“About Berlin 3” was produced completely in-house at the Berlin international University of Applied Sciences. It was made possible by the extraordinary dedication of the students, who actively contributed to the course. Thank you to all participants, our BI-internal supporters, and special thanks to Daniela Aivazian who patiently worked with the course to design this issue.
Enjoy this About Berlin journey,
Prof. Alexander Tibus and Anna Bernhardt,
Course Tutors
