Matthias Görlich / Design, Research & Development

Matthias Görlich is a Darmstadt- and Zurich-based communication designer, educator and researcher. In 2000, he set up his design studio as a platform for research, education and critical design practice. Matthias currently teaches information visualization at the University of Darmstadt and directs a postgraduate programme on the development of design-strategies for a new Civic City based at the University for the Arts, Zurich. He also initiated “White Spots Black Holes”, a research-project on the role of mapping in political contexts which is located at Institute for Designresearch Design2Context at the University for the Arts, Zurich.
With his studio, he is focussing on the the development and implementation of communication strategies, the visualization of complex information and the design of exhibtions and signage systems. The studio works internationally in close cooperation with architects, curators and writers. For more information and work samples, please contact the studio.

recently:

11.2009
“REFUGE NEWSPAPERS”, LAUNCH AT INTERNATIONAL BIENNALE FOR ARCHITECTURE ROTTERDAM
If you are in Rotterdam, you should pass by the NAi on November, 20th to pick up a copy of our Beirut, Istanbul and Amman Newspapers. Straight from the printer, part of “Refuge” and presented at the Diwan conference! More information soon.

10.2009
“CIVIC CITY, THE ROLE OF DESIGN FOR THE SOCIAL CITY”, INSTITUTE DESIGN2CONTEXT, UNIVERSITY FOR THE ARTS ZURICH
The new postgraduate program is running. Check this website to get more information on the events and lectures for this and next year. We will have an exhibition with contributions by Zak Kyes and Metahaven at Urs' Corner College from December, 18th and the exhibition “Radical Cartography” on display at Whitespace Gallery, Zurich from January, 15th 2010.

10.2009
“RICHARD NEUTRA”, MARTA HERFORD, EXHIBITION DESIGN
The studio has been commissioned by MARTa Herford Museum for the overall graphic concept for the furthcoming exhibition on Architect and Designtheorist Richard Neutra. The exhibition will start in May 2010.

10.2009
“MAPPING CULTURAL PRACTICES MUMBAI”, KRVIA MUMBAI INDIA, WORKSHOP
The workshop “Mapping Cultural Practices” investigates current cultural practices in India. The aim is to generate a library of visualized data that forms a basis for speculations on alternative cultural formats. Held at Kamla Raheja Instituts of Architecture, Mumbai India and hosted by Rupali Gupte. Participants: Kausik Mukhpadhyay, Nishita Kamdar, Ruchi Sugla, Pathik Joshi, Priya Prasanna, Samarth Das, Abhilasha Porwal, Devika Chowgule, Sharan Suresh Babu, Elizabeth Mathew, Shifa Saudagar, Nupoor Monani. Part of the project “Cultural Spaces India”.

10.2009
“UTOPIE UND MONUMENT 1”, STEIRISCHER HERBST, GRAZ, EXHIBITION DESIGN
Graphic concept for a Pavillon as part of “Steirischer Herbst 2009” in Graz. Curated by Sabine Breitwieser. More information here.

10.2009
“DIE-WELT-WIRD-STADT”, INSTITUT FÜR AUSLANDSBEZIEHUNGEN STUTTGART/BERLIN, EXHIBITION DESIGN
Currently on display at Berlin's Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, this exhibition portraits different regions and metropolis and their current urban development. Curated by Eckhardt Ribbeck, SI/University Stuttgart.

10.2009
“KOOPERATIVE FÜR DARSTELLUNGSPOLITIK”, VISUAL IDENTITY
Logo, stationary and website for this group of critical architects and exhibition designers from Berlin and Maastricht.

09.2009
“250 YEARS BURY”, GERMAN GOLDSMITH HOUSE, EXHIBITION DESIGN
The exhibition «250 Jahre Goldschmiede Bury» offers insights in the company history of one of the most prestigious goldsmith houses in Germany. With more than 1.000 exhibits explaining production methods, the familiy history and tradition, materials and jewellery, this exhibition offers a personal and playful experience. In Cooperation with Katzkaiser Architects.

09.2009
“CULTURAL SPACES IN INDIA”, GOETHE-INSTITUTES INDIA, RESEARCH
India’s mega cities have become crystallization points for the country’s spectacular yet conflictual modernization processes that have placed India firmly on the map of economic and political world powers. A parallel process has occurred in the cultural sphere. The arts have opened up the boundaries of traditional cultural agency while confronting an ambiguous civic sphere that increasingly blurs the boundaries between public and private, local and global, physical and virtual, stable and instable.
How does this transformation reshape the spatial and institutional requirements for cultural and artistic production? Which typology of a contemporary cultural space can create a social space and audience that allows for a translocal exchange of knowledge, experiments and aesthetic experience? Who would be the authors in the construction of such an institutional space? Is it possible to build an institution while producing art? Click here for the projects website.

08.2009
“DIWAN NEWSPAPERS”, REFUGE PROJECT/INTERNATIONAL BIENNALE FOR ARCHITECTURE/ ROTTERDAM / PRINT MEDIA, MAPPING

08.2009
“BAS PRINCEN: REFUGE. FIVE CITIES PORTFOLIO. ISTANBUL, BEIRUT, AMMAN, CAIRO AND DUBAI”, INTERNATIONAL BIENNALE FOR ARCHITECTURE/SUN PUBLISHERS, BOOK-DESIGN
From the publishers: The artworks brings cities together which not only share history and numerous cultural traditions but also many contemporary challenges. The pictures in this photo book are made by photographer Bas Princen. He took part in one of the research teams of the 4th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR). He captured the meaning of the open city, the main theme of the IABR, in pictures. City portraits: This book brings together intimate portraits of five great cities: Istanbul, Beirut, Amman, Cairo and Dubai. Through its pages we discover quietly beautiful, yet meticulously constructed images; unexpected views of cities which take us beyond the clichés. These images constitute architectural research and visual poetry at the same time. The publication is the result of a unique collaboration between leading academics and urban researchers based in the five cities and the Dutch artist Bas Princen. It has been specially commissioned by architectural curators Philipp Misselwitz and Can Altay for the IABR 2009. Published by Sun Publishers, Amsterdam.
Also see bldgblog.

08.2009
“CHAIR FOR ARCHITECTURE AND URBANDESIGN”, KEES CHRISTIAANSE, ETH ZURICH", VISUAL IDENTITY
A flexible concept based on a set of templates and graphic modules reflects the internal processes and fulfills the Institutes communication requirements. For their new website, click here

07.2009
“THE GOOD THE BAD THE UGLY", UNIVERSITY DARMSTADT, PUBLICATION
The Publication “The good the bad the ugly” by students of the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Faculty of Design, designed during a workshop from 9.–11. July 2009 which was run by Matthias Görlich.
Printed on leftover paper and with leftover ink and a print-run of 200 copies. The publication deals with the subject of what good, bad or ugly design really is, and if it’s possible at all to make such bold statements.

07.2009
“THE GOOD THE BAD THE UGLY”, UNIVERSITY DARMSTADT, WORKSHOP
This 3-days-workshop dealt with the investigation on what "good, bad and ugly” design is, can and should be. Throughout the process of researching the University's Design Library, numerous contradictory opinions and dogmas where discussed and reacted upon.

06.2009
INSTITUTION BUILDING, BOOK-LAUNCH AT PRO-QM, BERLIN
Presentation and discussion of the book “Institution Building” together with Nina Möntmann and Jeebesh Bagchi (Raqs Media Collective) at Pro-QM Bookstore in Berlin.

06.2009
“MAPPING DESIGNRESEARCH”, INSTITUTE DESIGN2CONTEXT AT DMY, BERLIN, MAPPING & EXHIBITION
For the stand of Institute for Designresearch “Design2Context” at International Design-Festival “DMY” in Berlin we developed a visual toolbox for an interacive mind-mapping of everything concerned with the topic of “Designresearch”. This toolbox allowed to interact with the guests, react on conversations and input from lectures. In the end, this formed a visual representation of “Designresearch” that is up to now used and constantly updated. Also here.

06.2009
“CIVIC CITY TALK”, DMY BERLIN
Jesko Fezer together with Matthias Görlich in conversation with architect and author Markus Miessen about the role of design in the social city. Part of “Mapping Designresearch” installation by Institute Design2Context at DMY, International Design Festival Berlin.

05.2009
“INSTITUTION BUILDING, ARTISTS, CURATORS AND ACHITECTS IN THE STRUGGLE FOR INSTITUTIONAL SPACE,” EDITED BY NIKOLAUS HIRSCH, PHILIPP MISSELWITZ, MARKUS MIESSEN AND MATTHIAS GÖRLICH. TO BE RELEASED IN MAY BY STERNBERG PRESS.
“Institution Building” presents a study that conceptualizes, tests, and practically applies the spatial strategy for the European Kunsthalle. The developed approach attempts to constructively question ideas of “stability” and “instability” and—in doing so— proposes a specific strategy for the European Kunsthalle that positions it within a local, regional, national and international contemporary discourse.
Nikolaus Hirsch, Philipp Misselwitz, Markus Miessen, and Matthias Görlich have developed three spatial strategies: an unstable configuration, a stable strategy as well as a model that consolidates the potentials of both variants towards a, albeit slowly, growing institution. The proposal acts as a laboratory that plans a collective structure consisting of individual components. It results in a network of possible spatial options stemming from programmatic modules and leads to numerous possible spatial configurations. This alternative institution is a showcase of a growing phenomenon problematizing the relationship between authorship and institution. As time spans of exhibitions become shorter and programs become more differentiated, architecture in itself becomes exhibition - renegotiating the default role models of artists and architects. With contributions by Shumon Basar, Andrea Phillips, and Jan Verwoert.
Published by Sternberg-Press. More info here.

04.2009
WELTWEIT WOHNEN (WORLDWIDE LIVING), INSTITUT FÜR AUSLANDSBEZIEHUNGEN (IFA), STUTTGART / EXHIBITION-DESIGN
We have just been commissioned for the design of the furthcoming exhibition “Weltweit Wohnen”, curated by Urbanist Eckhart Ribbeck. On display from July, 4th at IFA Stuttgart and later at IFA Berlin.

04.2009
”KÖNNEN BILDER TÖTEN?”, UNIVERSITY FOR THE ARTS / LECTURE
Lecture for the Master-students at University for the Arts in Zurich on role of mapping political decision-making processes.

03.2009
CAMP IMPROVEMENT MANUAL, UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST, AMMAN JORDAN / CONSULTING
One major element in the implementation of strategies developed within the Camp Development Pilot Research Project is a flexible communication tool. This bi-lingual folder (english and arabic) is extendable and easy to keep updated. Based on easy-to-handle templates, fieldworkers can integrate new strategies, react on recent changes and distribute new inserts quickly.

03.2009
CAMP DEVELOPMENT PILOT RESEARCH PROJECT, UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST, AMMAN JORDAN / CONSULTING
Studio Matthias Görlich has just completed a three-years research and publication-project for the UNRWA, the United Nations Research Commitee in Amman Jordan. Products include a series of mappings, appendices, research-documentation and reports aswell as a bi-langual manual with guidelines for the urban development in Palestinian Refugee Camps.

02.2009
REHABILITATING CAMP CITIES: COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PLANNING FOR URBANISED REFUGEE CAMP / BOOK-DESIGN
A 450 pages publication by urbanist Philipp Misselwitz. Design by Studio Matthias Görlich.

01.2009
“REFUGE URBANISM”, ISTANBUL / WORKSHOP
“Refuge Urbanism” is a project initiated by Urbanists Philipp Misselwitz and Can Altay from Istanbul investigating the pheonomon of “gated communities” in the middle east. Matthias Görlich has been invited to join the first international workshop as an external consultant for information visualization and mapping. This project is part of the International Architecture Biennale in Rotterdam in October 2009. Participants during this workshop at Istanbul Bilgi University were Rami Farouk Daher (Amman, Jordan), Jasser El-Sheshtawy (Dubai), Martina Rieker and Dina Shehayeb (Cairo), Mona Fawaz (Beirut), Murat Güvenç and Tansel Korkmaz (Istanbul).

12.2008
“DAS SANDMÄNNCHEN IST DA”, MUSEUM FOR COMMUNICATION / EXHIBITION DESIGN
We have been commissioned to develop an exhibition design for a small exhibition on the well-known german children's bedtime programme “Sandmännchen”. On display until March 22nd, 2009 at the Museum for Communication in Frankfurt.

10.2008
KULTURLANDSCHAFT KLOSTER HEISTERBACH / SIGNAGE
The studio has been invited to participate in a competition for the development of an exhibition and signage concept for the “Siebengebirge”, a tourist-region in Germany. In collaboration with Knüvener Architekturlandschaft, Cologne. Unfortunately not won.

10.2008
“MAPPING CONFLICTS”, UNIVERSITY DARMSTADT / TEACHING
Matthias Görlich now holds a teaching position at University Darmstadt, Faculty for Design. Main focus will be the visualization of complex information, mapping-techniques and the development of orientation concepts and its visualizations.

10.2008
“HIGH NOON”, UNIVERSITY DARMSTADT
A lunchtime-lecture-series at the Faculty for Design / University Darmstadt initiated by Professor Frank Philippin and Matthias Görlich. Please visit www.high-noon.eu for more information.

09.2008
“DESIGING POLITICS, THE POLITICS OF DESIGN”, IFG ULM
Matthias Görlich has been invited by IFG Ulm to join the advisory board
for this years “Designing Politics, the Politics of Design”competition. This competition is based on the principal ideas and values of the Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm.

09.2008
CIVIC CITY–THE ROLE OF DESIGN IN THE SOCIAL CITY, DESIGN2CONTEXT
Coordination of a new postgraduate program on the Role of Design in the development of a new social city. Based at Institute for Designresearch Design2Context, University for the Arts Zurich.
For more information visit http://civic-city.zhdk.ch

06.2008
“AUSGEPACKT”, GOLDSMITH MUSEUM HANAU / EXHIBITION GRAPHICS
Exhibition Graphics and Poster for the exhibtion “Ausgepackt” (unpacked)
for German Goldsmith's House in Hanau. Hurry to see it. Finissage is on September 18th. In cooperation with Katzkaiser Architects.

05.2008
GOETHE UNIVERSITY FRANKFURT / LECTURE
Matthias Görlich was invited by Johann Wolfgang Goethe University,
Frankfurt am Main to give a lecture on the role of Graphic-Design
in Exhibition Design.

03.2009
WHITE SPOTS BLACK HOLES
Matthias Görlich initiated a research-project investigating the role of mapping in political decision-making processes based at Institute for Designresearch Design2Context, University for the Arts Zurich. For more information please visit www.whitespotsblackholes.com

03.2008
“ABSOLUT PRIVAT”, MUSEUM FOR COMMUNICATION FRANKFURT, NURNBERG, BERLIN / EXHIBITION DESIGN
The studio of Matthias Görlich develops the exhibtion-graphics for
“Absolut privat”, an exhibtion about the development of diaries
throughout history on display in the Museums for Communication in Frankfurt, Nurnberg and Berlin. The exhibition space is dominated by a printed felt-floor indicating each day of the year. Architecture by HirschMüller Architects, Images by Norbert Miguletz.

12.2007
URBAN RESEARCH STUDIO / VISUAL IDENTITY
We have been commissioned to develop the overall graphic concept for the Urban Research Studio / ETH Zurich including a poster-series, website and collateral.

12.2007
“DEAR HENRY…”, BIENNALE FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS LYON
Matthias Görlich was invited to participate in the Lyon Biennale for Contemporary Arts. “Dear Henry” is based on the famous remark
by Henry Kissinger (“Who do I call if I want to call Europe?”). Contribution to the installation “The Violence of Participation”.

10.2007
“EUROPEAN KUNSTHALLE 2005 2006 2007” / CONTRIBUTION AND BOOK-DESIGN
Colognes’ European Kunsthalle complets their initiation phase with their publication “European Kunsthalle 2005 2006 2007” offering an indepth
look at the thoughts, concepts and research during their first two years.
Contribution by Spaces of Production (Hirsch, Misselwitz, Miessen, Görlich). Book-design by Studio Matthias Görlich with Miriam Rösch.

04.2007
“BOOKMAKING”, RWTH AACHEN / WORKSHOP
Matthias Görlich has been invited by the Faculty for Architecture
at RWTH, Aachen for a lecture and workshop on graphic-design
and bookmaking for 2nd year students.

03.2007
“MODELS FOR TOMORROW: COLOGNE”, EUROPEAN KUNSTHALLE / CONCEPT AND VISUAL IDENTITY
From March, 1st to April, 28th 2007 the exhibition titled “Models for Tomorrow: Cologne” will take place on various sites in Cologne City. A project by curator Vanessa Joan Müller of European Kunsthalle in close collaboration with Spaces of Production. Exhibiting artists include Lawrence Weiner, Liam Gillick, Tobias Rehberger, Michael Beutler, Olaf Nicolai among others.

09.2006
UNIVERSITY DARMSTADT AND WIESBADEN / TEACHING
From October 2006, Matthias Görlich will be lecturing at University Darmstadt and University Wiesbaden. The field of work will include typography-basics, book design and the use of type in three-dimensional space for first and second year students.

09.2006
“HAVE FUN TODAY (APPLAUSE.)” FEATURED IN VOLUME-MAGAZINE
“Have fun today. (Applause.)” is featured in the current issue of dutch magazine “Volume” on Architecture and Power. This visualization-project
by Matthias Görlich and Charalampos Lazos deals with George W. Bushs’ defintion of rogue states and the axis of evil. His argumentation is con-fronted with statistical information reacting to his definitions.

09.2006
WORLD USABILITY DAY 2006 / VISUAL IDENTITY
Supported by the German Chapter of the Usability Professionals Association, the 14th of November 2006 will be enirely dedicated to user-interaction, physical and digital interfaces and the latest trends in user-centred-design. Matthias Görlich joined the curatorial team and took over the development of a visual concept for the Darmstadt event. For more information, please check this webpage: www.worldusabilityday.org

03.2006
“UNDER CONSTRUCTION”, EUROPEAN KUNSTHALLE COLOGNE / TALK
Presentation and discussion of the research project Spaces of Production together with Shumon Basar (author and curator, London) and Ole Bouman (culture- and architecural critic, Amsterdam). Part of the “Under Construction” event series initiated by curators Nicolaus Schafhausen and Vanessa Joan Müller (European Kunsthalle, Cologne).

03.2006
“MAPPING CULTURAL SPACES ”, RWTH AACHEN / WORKSHOP
As an initial part of the research project “Spaces of Production” we will
be holding a Workshop at the Faculty for Architecture at RWTH Aachen
to generate an overall view of the current situation in cultural production throughout Europe.

01.2006
SPACES OF PRODUCTION, RESEARCH
“Spaces of Production” is a study that conceptualizes, tests, and practically applies the spatial strategy for the European Kunsthalle in Cologne. The investigation does not result from purely theoretical, conceptual considerations but is rather the result of the activities incorporated into the European Kunsthalle founding phase’s two-year work practice from 2005 to 2007. The spatial strategy for the European Kunsthalle is therefore the direct result of “applied research” – an iterative investigation informed by resonances between theory and practice.
Spaces of Production are Nikolaus Hirsch, Philipp Misselwitz, Markus Miessen and Matthias Görlich. For more information, click here.

12.2005
JAMES ENSOR—SCHIRN KUNSTHALLE, EXHIBITION GRAPHICS
Exhibtion Graphic concept for the extensive James Ensor exhibtion
at Schirn-Kunsthalle in Frankfurt. Open from December 17th, 2005
to March 19th, 2006. Architecture by HirschMueller Architects, Image by Norbert Miguletz.

2006
UNIVERSITY DARMSTADT, TEACHING
Matthias Görlich will be teaching at the Faculty for Design, University for Applied Sciences in Darmstadt. Focus will be Typography for first and second year students.

12.2005
DOCUMENTATION CENTER HINZERT, EXHIBITION GRAPHICS
(WITH ADE HAUSER LACOUR)
There was only a cemetary for french military left on the site of the Concentration-Camp memorial in Hinzert/Hunsrück. Since Dezember 2005 a permanent exhibtion in the Documentation-Centre shows the whole
story of this place. Inside the builing by Wandel Hoefer Lorch and Hirsch
is a total of 350 sqm exhibtion inscribed into the triangular inner space.
Not contrasting or even competing with the story of this place or with the architectural statement. Clear graphical elements reacting at and acting with the triangular grid of the interior shaping the builings interior.
Video, Sound, Images and texts are integrated into the walls. Large scale headlines and restrained color-fields separate the chapters but also conntect the structure of the exhibitions content. A second content-level is offered to the visitor through the introduction of drawers. There more in-depth information is accessible. An audio-guide system in french and english language translates the german texts printed on the walls of the builing. Architecture: Wandel Hoefer Lorch+Hirsch, Saarbrücken; Images: Norbert Miguletz. Realized while working for Ade Hauser Lacour, Frankfurt

03.2005
“UND KEINER HAT FÜR UNS KADDISCH GESAGT… ”, CATALOGUE (WITH ADE HAUSER LACOUR)
Accompanying the exhibition, the Jewish-Museum, Frankfurt published this 568 page catalogue. Awarded IF Communication Award and ADC Silver Medal. Realized while working for Ade Hauser Lacour, Frankfurt

03.2005
“UND KEINER HAT FÜR UNS KADDISCH GESAGT… ”, EXHIBITION DESIGN (WITH ADE HAUSER LACOUR)
This exhibtion at Jewish Museum Frankfurt is the first to cover the Deportation of Jews from Frankfurt between 1941 and 1945. With the help of information on chosen victims, the main exhibtion-space exemplarily presents the course of 8 deportations from Frankfurt to concentration camps recunstructing the dramatic fate of the victims in these camps and ghettos. The exhibtion spaces enclosing the main exhibtion space present the beginning of the discrim-ination and violence before 1937 and the reconstruction of the jewish community in Frankfurt after the end of WW2. The exhibition design had to deal with two major challenges: the mass of information and the diverse media-sources. Not only papers, photographs and biographical information had to be included, but also personal objects. A strict grid system using the entire height of the exhibtion-space allowed us to present the numerous textual information aswell as the exhibition objects in an adequat and comprehesible way. The exhibtion objects such as Video, Sound, show-cases and original documents are integrated into the grid units. exhibit-drawers, filled with personal belongings of the victims contrast the fully printed wooden surface. Realized while working for Ade Hauser Lacour, Frankfurt. Exhibition Architecture by Wandel, Hoefer, Lorch und Hirsch, Saarbrücken, Image by Norbert Miguletz, Frankfurt.