Off Studio: intelligent graphic design with quirks

Off is a design studio formed by designers Malin Schoenberg, Johannes von Gross and Markus Lingemann who met while working at Bureau Mirko Borsche. The Munich-based studio focuses on art direction and design for fashion, culture and branding. Founded in 2015, its clients already include Neues Museum Nürnberg, Karl & Faber Art Auctions and Young Friends of the Pinakothek for Modern Art.

The studio’s consistently clean-cut design has resulted in a range of projects where publications are a stand-out skill of the group. One in particular is WEtransFORM a catalogue for Staatliches Musueum für Kunst und Design. The catalogue displays Off’s talent for communicating information in an understandable and prepossessing way. Compiling a group of “thirty internationally renowned artists and designers, combining their work with popular media on the subject”, is not a simple to task, but the end result is considered and natural.

Another book of seamless, intelligent design is Elbe an 80-page publication documenting the journey of photographer Matthias Ziegler along the major European river of the same name. Known for his worldwide documentary work this project is closer to home for Matthias. However, “the result is not less exciting than his famous pictures from his journeys to other continents,” the studio explains. “With his sensitive view for nature and the people around him, he creates stunning photos of the many-sided way along the Elbe.”

Off’s design decisions to reflect Matthias’ work are refreshing. The images shine through against bold text, its yellow cover referencing the National Geographic, an influence of many documentary photographers. This hand-numbered edition is also wrapped in a water resistant softcover, apt for a publication about a river.

Additionally, Off has produced another publication with photographer Armin Smailovic documenting the 20th anniversary of family run gallery Herold, on the German island Sylt. Off’s cover design for the publication is brilliant, dissecting the word to appear as both “Herold” and “20 years old” at once. This is just one of many examples of Off’s ability to understand how to create honest solutions for its clients.