Maximage
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Maximage is an award-winning design studio based in Switzerland.
It offers a large area of expertise including visual identities, digital solutions, books, posters, typefaces, artworks and consultancy. In its practice, tools and technology are constantly challenged, introducing a reflection on contemporary production processes. Over the years the studio has collaborated with institutions and clients in Switzerland and abroad. Long-term collaborations include art direction for the Zurich-based publishing house Edition Patrick Frey and the development of campaigns for Arsenic–Contemporary Peforming Arts Center.

Parallel to its work, Maximage offers numerous workshops and lectures at Swiss and international universities. Members of the studio regularly teach at HEAD in Geneva, ZHDK in Zurich, as well as ECAL in Lausanne, where they conducted a research project on printing technologies, which resulted in the creation of Color Library. Maximage also manages the type design platform Maxitype that offers retail and bespoke typefaces and encourages research and development in typography.

The work of Maximage received several awards from the Swiss Federal Office of Culture in recognition to their commitment to the field. In 2020, the studio was honoured the Jan Tschichold Award.

Contact us

Maximage | Maxitype Sàrl
Rue Fendt 10
1201 Genève
Switzerland

+41 (0)22 910 47 48

Team

David Keshavjee (Co-Founder)
Julien Tavelli (Co-Founder)
Daniel Haettenschwiller
Guy Meldem

Awards

2022

100 Beste Plakate

2022

INTL, International Poster Competition

2021

100 Beste Plakate

2021

The Most Beautiful Swiss Books

2020

100 Beste Plakate

2020

Jan Tschichold Award

2019

100 Beste Plakate

2018

The Most Beautiful Swiss Books

2016

The Most Beautiful Swiss Books

2014

Swiss Design Awards

2013

The Most Beautiful Swiss Books

2013

Swiss Design Awards

2011

The Most Beautiful Swiss Books

2011

Swiss Design Awards

2009

Swiss Design Awards

Exhibitions

2022

Ravisius Textor, Nevers

2020

Helmhaus, Zurich

2018

Moravká Galerie, Brno

2017

Museum für Gestaltung, Zurich

2017

Tallin Art Hall, Tallinn

2016

Cooper Union, New York

2016

Umlaut, London

2015

Museum für Gestaltung, Zurich

2014

Archiv, Zurich

2014

Samson Paper Gallery, Seoul

2014

Station, Beirut

2014

Weltformat 14 Plakatfestival, Lucern

2014

Istituto svizzero di Roma, Rome

2013

Marbriers 4, Geneva

2013

Galerie Kamm, Berlin

2013

G/P Gallery, Tokyo

2012

Museum für Gestaltung, Zurich

2011

Festival international de l’affiche, Chaumont

2011

Centre d’art contemporain, Geneva

2010

Milieu Galerie, Bern

2010

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston

2009

China International Poster Biennal, Shanghai

2009

EPFL/École polytechnique fédérale, Lausanne

2008

Designhuis, Eindhoven

Lectures

2023

Princeton University, New Jersey

2023

REDO, Prishtina

2023

Further Reading, Fachhochschule Potsdam

2022

Master Type Design ECAL, Lausanne

2022

Université Paris 8 Vincennes – Saint-Denis, Paris

2019

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee

2018

International Biennal of Graphic Design, Brno

2018

Museum für Gestaltung, Zurich

2017

La Cambre, Brussels

2017

Fahrenheit 39, Ravenna

2016

Centre Culturel Suisse, Paris

2015

Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam

2014

Sitterwerk Kunstbibliothek, St. Gallen

2014

Grafill, Oslo

2014

Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zurich

2014

Station, Beirut

2013

Museum Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt am Main

2013

Festival international de l’affiche, Chaumont

2012

École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, Lyon

2011

Amsterdam Art Book Fair, Amsterdam

2009

École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne

Workshops

2021

Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam

2019

Haute école d’art et de design, Genève

2018

Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst, Leipzig

2018

École européenne supérieure d’art de Bretagne, Rennes

2018

Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam

2017

La Cambre, Brussels

2017

Fahrenheit 39, Ravenna

2016

Istituto Svizzero di Roma, Milan

2015

Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zurich

2015

Station, Beirut

2014

Power Station of Arts, Shanghai

2012

Swissnex, San Francisco

2010

Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung, Karlsruhe

Research Projects

2017

Workflow: Research Project on Printed Matter
ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne

2014

Studio Roma: Transdisciplinary Research Program
Istituto Svizzero di Roma

2009

Typographer: New Technologies and Type Design
ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne

Employment

There are currently no vacancies for interns or freelancers.
Unfortunately we are not able to respond to emails regarding internships.
Any open position will be communicated here and/or on social networks.

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Photographic reproductions by Daniel Aires. Coding by Tristan Bagot.
Typeface by Alexis Hominal. © 2020–2023, All rights reserved by Maxitype Sàrl and the authors.

Mihai Barabancea – Falling on Blades - © Maximage
Mihai Barabancea – Falling on Blades - © Maximage
Mihai Barabancea – Falling on Blades - © Maximage
Mihai Barabancea – Falling on Blades - © Maximage
Mihai Barabancea – Falling on Blades - © Maximage
Mihai Barabancea – Falling on Blades - © Maximage
Mihai Barabancea – Falling on Blades - © Maximage
Mihai Barabancea – Falling on Blades - © Maximage
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To “accidentally fall on a blade thirteen times” is a sardonic–and rather poetic–way of saying to get stabbed. “It doesn’t always kill you, but it always hurts. And still you’ve got to “roll with the punches” and keep going. I find this ability to roll with the punches, to “take the pain” and adapt to circumstances, in my subjects: gypsies, beggars, crooks, vagabonds, underdogs, conmen, buskers and various shady characters in Romania and Moldova. My object is not to exploit problem-ridden post-communist Romania for voyeuristic purposes. I’m not an indifferent observer, but one who tries hard to give these people the freedom they need to portray themselves on camera—and to bring about necessary changes themselves in the social stereotypes still assigned to them.” (Mihai Barabancea)

Barabancea uses the camera as a tool to interact with his subjects. But instead of staging picturesque portraits, he zeroes in on moments of ruthless rawness and keen poignancy.

Project

Mihai Barabancea – Falling on Blades

Type

Books

Client

Edition Patrick Frey

Editors

Christian M. Schweizer, Patrick Frey

Author

Mihai Barabancea

Year

2020

Location

Zurich

Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing - © Maximage
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A research project into color reproduction and printing

A collectible volume for graphic designers and creative entrepreneurs, this book is dedicated to “Color Library,” one of the most discussed projects in the field of graphic design of the last few years. An investigation into color reproduction and printing, “Color Library” is a tool for artists, designers, photographers, and printers. It aims to widen the possibilities of color printing, and reflects on our contemporary perception of color as it is shaped by the recent developments in print production.
Edited by Maximage, the publication documents the different chromatic and technical possibilities offered by “Color Library” through the use of different kinds of papers (coated and uncoated), and offers a wide variety of color combinations, from basic colors through metallic, neon, and pastel. It includes photographs by Zurich-based photographer Shirana Shahbazi printed in spot color, essays by Emily King and Manon Bruet describing the context of the project and its ambitions, as well as an essay by Franz Sigg on the evolution and standardization of print. An appendix allows an in-depth understanding of the “Color Library” color combinations.

Awarded by the “Most Beautiful Swiss Books 2017”.

Project

Color Library – Research into Color Reproduction and Printing

Type

Books

Clients

JRP|Ringier, ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne

Directors

Clément Dirié, Alexis Georgacopoulos

Editors

David Keshavjee, Guy Meldem, Julien Tavelli

Authors

Manon Bruet, Emily King, Shirana Shahbazi, Franz Sigg

Photography

Shirana Shahbazi

Year

2018

Location

Zurich, Lausanne

Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe - © Maximage
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A guide for J. G. Ballard’s novel, The Atrocity Exhibition

This book is designed in the style of a guide for The Atrocity Exhibition, the novel published in 1969 in which James Graham Ballard deploys a singular space where juxtapose a “concrete area”, a “exhibition hall”, a “picture (board)-sculpture”, a “street of Saigon”, etc. Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe is between human sciences and science fiction, between history of art and medicine. A plural iconography leans on the incredible collection of documents of Maison d'Ailleurs, which includes in particular periodicals going from 20s pulps to the 60's independant magazines. With works by J.G. Ballard, Francis Baudevin, Stéphane Dafflon, Philippe Decrauzat, Jeremy Deller, Sylvie Fleury, Scott King, Adam McEwen, No Picture Available.

Awarded by the “Most Beautiful Swiss Books 2013”.

Project

Atrocity Exhibition Archive Paradoxe

Type

Books

Client

ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne

Director

Alexis Georgacopoulos

Editor

Julien Fronsacq

Authors

Stéphanie Moisdon, Julien Fronsacq, Andreas Hochuli, Gallien Déjean, Frédéric Jaccaud, Marc Atallah, Brigitte Aubry, Andreas Hochuli, Matthias Sohr.

Team

Benjamin Plantier

Year

2013

Location

Lausanne

Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore - © Maximage
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Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore explores the paradox of modern urban planning and spiritual beliefs in Singapore, proposing a parsing of the island’s town and country planning based on abstract expressions of mysticism. An investigation of the collective imagination, this book examines elements of the built environment believed to be occupied by spirits: haunted spaces. Often dismissed as irrational, this mystical focus digs deeper than religious superstitions or teenage esotericism. In exploring the apparent contradiction between a city-state built up according to a rigid rationale of urban development and robust spiritual practices that endure to this day, this book reveals the resilience of interconnected spaces and memories, as well as forms of social resistance to the changes brought about by fast-paced urban growth and top-down national planning in Singapore. Intrigued by Singapore’s omnipresent ghost stories and fitted out with the tools of architecture and scientific investigation, the authors set off on an obsessive expedition across some of the island’s silent hidden areas, along the fine line between scientific rationality and absurdity.
The photographs of the black cardboard models representing the haunted locations are screen printed with white ink on black paper. The city guide inspired book is protected from humid tropical environments by a plastic dust jacket and a laminated map lists the island’s silent hidden areas.

Project

Some Haunted Spaces in Singapore

Type

Books

Client

Edition Patrick Frey

Editors

Marcel Jäggi, Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, Patrick Frey, Andreas Koller

Authors

Lilian Chee, Charles Goh, Marcel Jäggi, Denise L., Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, Mary-Ann Ray, Jones Tang

Photography

Philipp Aldrup, Marcel Jäggi, Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, Olivier Vogler

Year

2018

Location

Zurich

Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs - © Maximage
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Since 2011, Marietta Eugster and Maximage have been working with publisher Andreas Koller to revamp and redesign the visual identity of Zurich-based art book publishers Edition Patrick Frey.
The new distribution and presentation strategy aims to combine the experimental graphic character of the design with the functional demands of a digital tool of this kind, thereby making the books, catalogues, magazines, posters, print and digital media output of Edition Patrick Frey available to a large audience.
The barcode is a distinctive and recurring element in the design of the visual identity. It’s a technical detail that plays an important role in the book trade and in book distribution, because the ISBN represents the digital information about a book. The award-winning work employs colour coding and barcodes as a humorous and playful stylistic resource but also one that structures and shapes different formats, such as posters or a magazine featuring contributions by artists. These design tools, which draw heavily on the technical aspect of printing and production, reveal the importance the designers attach to proximity to the book as object.

Project

Edition Patrick Frey – Catalogs

Type

Books, Identities

Client

Edition Patrick Frey

Editor

Andreas Koller

Collaborators

Marietta Eugster, Andreas Koller

Authors

Various

Photography

Various

Year

2012–Present

Location

Zurich

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