Studio Tillack Knöll, Design Practice
Studio Tillack Knöll, Multicreative Practice
Studio Tillack Knöll, Exhibition Practice
Studio Tillack Knöll, Collaborative Practice
Studio Tillack Knöll, Spatial Practice
Studio Tillack Knöll, Publishing Practice
Studio Tillack Knöll, Editorial Practice
Studio Tillack Knöll, Political Practice
Studio Tillack Knöll, Community Practice
Introduction
Studio Tillack Knöll is a design practice that concerns itself with the visual and spatial aspects of communication. We design exhibitions, wayfinding systems, books, visual identities and digital experiences for a variety of clients involved in architecture, art, science and commerce to cultural institutions and NGOs.
The driving force behind our work is the interaction and collaboration with and for other human beings. Besides creating our visual output we enhance our design practice with editing, writing and coding.
Approach
The day to day work is the starting point from which we confidently emerge with holistic design concepts for the production of identities and atmospheres that have long-lasting effects. Even though most our work manifests itself through its visual and haptic surface, the goal of our practice is to reach new depths and dive all in – clearly distinctive, tangibly and intellectually.
We regard each project as a challenge. A challenge to attain a visual endurance that surpasses this fast paced world and its economy of quick and cheap satisfaction. A challenge that develops new solutions and ways of seeing things. Ultimately, an inclusive design that expands and changes perceptions.
Founders
Sven Tillack
Sven is the studio’s driving force behind all digital endeavours (coded and animated). As creative director and a passionate book designer, his keen eye for detail and production not only comes in handy when completing projects, but also when assembling the studio’s daily playlists as well. He holds a diploma from the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design and has a background in photography, advertising and corporate campaigns and—as author and editor of “Exploriso: Low-tech Fine Art”—he is also the studios very own print specialist and risography-connaisseur.
Steffen Knöll
The fact that Steffen almost enrolled into architecture school probably accounts for the studio’s interest in exhibition-making and spatial design. The other one probably being the fascination for the vastness of space which lead to the publishing of “Apollo 11—Man on the Moon—The Visual Archive”. After finishing his diploma at the State Academy of Art and Design Stuttgart, Steffen expanded his knowledge and also holds the position of creative director as well as chief studio accountant and master of the studio’s vast library.
Team
Johannes Hucht
As a HfG Karlsruhe trained communication- and type designer with a background in spatial and product design, Johannes is the latest addition to our team. With his extraordinary perseverance in fine-tuning curves and spacing, Johannes is not only highly equipped in creating bespoke typefaces but also persevering enough to hang between/in/on/under rocks—as he’s a passionate climber.
Past team members include Niklas Berlec, Janis Czapka, Mia Götze, Vincent Herbet, Lilli Klein, Marius Rother and Lea Wellern.
Contact
General Inquiries
+49 (0) 711.50071405
Social Media
Collaboration
In order to reach a project’s unique outcome we often like to enlarge our team to include specialists and like-minded designers, friends and colleagues:
asphalt kollektiv, HuM Base, Parat.cc, Studio Terhedebrügge, Mark Bohle, Mark Julien Hahn, Nam Huynh, Nolan Paparelli, Hans-Jörg Seidler, Levin Stadler, Natalie Weinmann, Carola Wille, Jonas Zieher.
Extra-Studio Activity
Community
Design should not be confined to a distinct bubble. One of our goals as a studio is to give back to communities that we cherish and value. We achieve this either through nonprofit work, design coaching or other means. If you have a project that is in need of support please get in contact with us!
Lectures and Workshops
Steffen Knöll and Sven Tillack have lectured at a variety of occasions and have given numerous workshops—nationally and internationally—on design related matters. They hold teaching positions at the design, art and architecture faculties of Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design, Coburg University of applied science and arts and Erfurt University of applied Sciences.
Talks
2023 | »Talking Thursdays«, talk with TwoTimesElliott |
2022 | »Exploriso: Low-tech Fine Art? — Risographie als künstlerisches Druckverfahren [Risography as an artistic printing method]«, Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Medien e.V., bundesweiter Verbund von Lehrerinnen und Lehrern im Bereich Druck- und Medientechnik [nationwide association of teachers in the field of printing and media technology] |
2021 | »Mix & Match! Colormanagement am Risographen«, talk within the Start Art Week in cooperation with RISO Deutschland, Metapaper and Drucken3000, University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf »Make Them Seen, Make Them Heard«, talk within the module »Das hat mich schon immer interessiert – Eine Publikation« supervised by Jonas Beuchert and Tilman Schlevogt, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Lecture in the design department supervised by Prof. Ilka Helmig und Prof. Eva Kubinyi, FH Aachen |
2019 | Algorithm.Camp, HfG Karlrsuhe × ABK Stuttgart; Karlsruhe & Stuttgart [with Sascia Reibel and Grischa Erbe] |
2018 | aed Stuttgart »3 × Type«, Württembergischer Kunstverein, Stuttgart Macau Design Biennal. Expo Center Shanghai Macau Design Biennal. Sanda University, Shanghai IDUGS #51 [InDesign User Group Stuttgart Meet-Up]. Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart |
2017 | Macau Design Biennial. Macau Adobe Creative Jam. Im Wizemann, Stuttgart Metapaper Breakfast of Inspiration. Café Netzer, Stuttgart |
2015 | Lecture during the Taipei International Design Award ceremony, Taipei City Government Department of Economic Development, Taipei, Taiwan |
Clients
Architecture & Urban Planning | 'asp' architekten asphalt kollektiv AEI Architekten atelier vohl bda berchtoldkrass Brixner Architekten BDA Bund Deutscher Architekten BDA Cainelliklaska Cluster of Excellence IntCDC Hochbauamt der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart Hochbauamt der Stadt Heilbronn IBA Heidelberg IBA Thüringen JOOS KELLER KIT — Karlsruher Institut für Technologie Legeer Architekten moser Architekten BDA Schlaicher & Ragaller, Freie Architekten BDA Schmutz & Partner Freie Architekten Studio Cross Scale Studio Urbane Strategien Städtebau-Institut der Universität Stuttgart SWAA — Stuttgart Week of Advancing Architecture Engineering & Construction Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg Zweiheit Innenarchitekten |
Artists & Art Institutions | Ann-Kathrin Müller Deutsches Fleischereimuseum Böblingen Discoteca Flaming Star Dirk Reimes Galerie der Stadt Tuttlingen Javier Klaus Gastelum Lisa Granada Kunst Büro BW Künstlerbund Baden-Württemberg Meisterschüler:innen im Weißenhof-Programm Peter Sehringer Ricarda Roggan Städtische Galerie Kirchheim unter Teck Städtische Galerie Villingen-Schwenningen Solid Transitions Villa Merkel, Galerie der Stadt Esslingen am Neckar |
Awards and Scholarships | Hannsmann-Poethen Literaturstipendium der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart Hegelpreis der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart Kompositionspreis der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart Johann Friedrich von Cotta Literatur- und Übersetzerpreis |
Bars, Clubs & Restaurants | Gian Paolo e Marco, Café & Bar Rocker33 Tatti Stay & See Zum Ochsen — Restaurant und Landmetzgerei |
Cinematography & Motion | 3b Produktion Arte Cedric Retzmann |
Coaching | Traffo.io |
Commerce & Finance | Apple Inc. ALH Gruppe (Alte Leipziger — Hallesche) AM Ventures Buchhandlung Rita Limacher Ganryu Capital Nike, Inc. Needz Novafon GmbH Karl Krämer Fachbuchhandlung The Local House |
Community | FF*GZ — Feministisches Frauen*gesundheitszentrum Stuttgart e. V. Dachverband Tanz Deutschland Hotel Central e. V. Kunstverein Wagenhalle e. V. Quartier Stadtgarten |
Creative | 0711 Live / Media Productions Room Service Europe GmbH Think Work Observe |
Culture | Akademie Schloss Solitude Bundesgartenschau 2019 GmbH Deutsches Bauernkriegsmuseum in.Stuttgart GmbH Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle Landesmuseum Baden-Württemberg Ron Orp AG SoftPowerPalace Stadtarchiv Böblingen The Opéra Magazine for Contemporary Nude Photography Treffpunkt Rotebühlplatz |
Education | Fachhochschule Erfurt Hochschule Coburg Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe Hochschule Weingarten Neunlinden-Schule Ihringen RWTH Aachen Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart Universität Potsdam Universität Stuttgart |
Engineering, Construction & Energy | EnergieParkHaus Godel Beton GmbH HNVG — Heilbronner Versorgungs GmbH |
Food & Drink | Mozzafiato PNEVMA |
Foundations | BMW Foundation iac Berlin Olgäle-Stiftung für das Kranke Kind e.V. Robert Bosch Stiftung |
Governmental | Kulturamt der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart Landesanstalt für Kommunikation Baden-Württemberg Ministerium für Wirtschaft Arbeit und Wohnungsbau Baden-Württemberg Ministerium für Wissenschaft Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg Staatsministerium Baden-Württemberg Stadt Heilbronn Stadt Stuttgart Wirtschaftsförderung Baden-Württemberg Wirtschaftsförderung Villingen-Schwenningen |
Lifestyle & Fashion | Bom Matta Servizio Magari — The finest in fashion, furniture and services. The Hammercurls The Rice Society |
Mobility | Deutsche Bahn AG Moovel Mercedes-Benz SSB AG / Das Ticket Magazin Urban Mobility Solution Mercedes-Benz |
Music | Rickie Lee Kroell |
NGOs & Political Institutions | Anstoss Demokratie Bürgerrat Klima Bürgerforum Corona Bürgerbegehren Klimaschutz e. V. die Klimadebatte ifok GmbH ipg — Institut für Partizipatives Gestalten GmbH Nexus — Institut für Kooperationsmanagement und interdisziplinäre Forschung GmbH SDG Places |
Publishing | Kerber Verlag Klub Books Jovis Verlag Molino Verlag Ruby Press Spector Books Vexer Verlag |
Science | STATE Studio Berlin SFB1313 — Universität Stuttgart |
Awards
Awards | 100 Beste Plakate Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz [100 Best Posters Germany, Austria, Switzerland] 2022, 2020, 2018—2013 Stiftung Buchkunst, Die Schönsten Deutschen Bücher 2021 [The Best German Book Design 2021]. 2 × Shortlist Discovered, cooperation of the art academies and art schools Leipzig, Hamburg and Stuttgart with the publishing house Spector Books The 3rd Shenzen International Poster Festival SIPF 2018, Silver Medal Tokyo Type Directors Club TDC 2017, Annual Award 11th Macau Design Biennial, Bronze Award in Category Book, Jury & Distinction Award in Category Book Taipei International Design Award 2015, Silver Award The 2nd Shenzhen International Poster Festival SIPF2016, Silver Award Stiftung Buchkunst, Die schönste deutschen Bücher 2016 [The Best German Book Design 2016], Longlist Stiftung Buchkunst, Förderpreis für junge Buchgestaltung 2016, Longlist Global Biennale of Graphic Design Golden Bee, All Gold of the World 2014 – 2016, 2018, Golden Fix Award 27th Brno Biennial International Exhibition 2016, Selected Work Taipei International Design Award 2015, Taipei Mayor Award, Gold Award, Judges’ Award 2015 Graphic Design Festival Scotland, International Poster Competition, 2nd Place Italian Poster Biennial 2015, 2nd Place |
Collections | Musée Des Arts Decoratif Paris 100 Beste Plakate e. V. Permanent collection of Hong Kong Heritage Museum |
Press
2022 | Sindelfinger Zeitung, »Stuttgart hat im Neckarpark ein neues Architektur-Highlight« |
2021 | Page 05.21, »Publikationen: Exploriso« |
2020 | A Book On Books, viction:ary, ISBN 978-988-79726-3-1 |
2019 |
2018 | It’s Nice That, »Steffen Knöll’s mammoth 496-page tribute to an amazing, world-changing mission« |
2017 | AIGA Eye On Design, »Why Graphic Designer Sven Tillack Likes to Work Very, Very Slowly« |
Positions
Internships
Studio Tillack Knöll offers internship positions three times a year for a period of three to six months. Design interns will become part of our design team and work closely with us on a wide range of projects ranging from culture, business and architecture to art and NGOs.
Internships at Studio Tillack Knöll focus on learning through hands-on and real-life experiences. We share responsibility, design proposals are discussed, and work is executed collectively. Interns will be involved in the Studio’s everyday business. They are in close contact with clients and partners but will still be given the time and resources to develop additional skills — all while being guided supportively through demanding tasks.
Studio Tillack Knöll considers internships to be an integral part of the design curriculum and therefore should be affordable by everyone — not just the privileged few. The in-house, full-time internships that we offer are paid a salary that makes living in Stuttgart affordable without the help of one’s parents, a second job or depending on student-loans. Interns will never be considered cheap labour in our office!
The interns we look for are those close to completing an undergraduate studies in graphic design, architecture or comparable fields of studies, and who are currently enrolled in a MA/diploma programme. Selected applicants are expected to commit to at least three full months, with a probation period of four weeks.
Applications are generally accepted during the following periods:
February – April
May – July
September – November
To apply please submit a one page CV, a portfolio of your most intriguing design projects and the period for which you are applying within your e-mail to positions@studiotillackknoell.com.
Please name each CV or portfolio file with your name as well as an abbreviated version of your considered starting point: e.g. NameSurname_CV_2023-03 (for a start in March of 2023). Please keep the mb sizes as low as possible and do not exceed 10 Megabytes. Links to Instagram accounts and websites will only be considered if a CV and portfolio is included. We try to get back to everyone, selected or not, within two weeks (depending on our current workload).
Mental Health
In Germany, roughly about every 18th employee is unable to work due to mental health issues. That is an alarming number that we don’t want to contribute to! This is why we value eye-to-eye communication and take our team’s opinions and feedback seriously — just as we do their and our mental health. We’ve therefore set robust boundaries not only between employee and employer, but also between our team and our clients. Our design positions are paid accordingly. We offer space to grow personally and professionally. We do not tolerate sexism, racism or any other form of misuse of power. At the end of the day we want to enjoy our jobs and reduce stress at the workplace in an industry that is well-known for its top-down-stress-distributing-bull****.
Sustainability
Since climate change is already altering the way we live and impacting our collective future. We try to minimise the footprint of our practice and the products that our job produces. We therefore work closely with companies that value sustainability and the health of our planet in the same way that we attempt to do day to day.