(SMS) Studio Michael Schmitz
Was Kommunikationsdesign kann
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The future of design
The project Was Kommunikationsdesign kann explores the potential of communication design to contribute to society beyond aesthetic value. Developed as a discursive publication, it investigates how design can address urgent challenges such as sustainability, democracy, and digital transformation. By highlighting the societal dimensions of design practice, the book positions communication design as a cultural force that not only visualizes content but also shapes social discourse.
Client: Verlag Niggli
Funded by: VG Bildkunst Bonn, Hochschule Mainz – Fachbereich Gestaltung, Institut Designlabor Gutenberg
In public perception, communication design is often reduced to surface and style. The challenge was to counter this view by demonstrating the discipline’s deeper impact: its role in fostering democratic culture, enabling social participation, and providing orientation in complex contexts.
Structuring contributions that combine theory, practice, and case studies.
A reduced yet striking editorial design that underscores clarity and accessibility.
Engaging voices from design, academia, and practice to underline the breadth of the discipline.
The publication redefines the understanding of communication design as a discipline of responsibility. It supports educators, students, and professionals in broadening their perspective on design’s possibilities. The project contributes to the public discourse by making visible how communication design can act as a catalyst for societal transformation.
Comprehensive publication that addresses radical changes communication designers are facing. → See project
Campaign design activating civic participation and collective responsibility. → See project
Visual identity and platform for a sustainable business initiative. → See project