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is a platform for parametric design in graphic design. It documents the work of students and teachers at the Department of Design at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), who are investigating the significance of the system as a conceptual model and design method under the title “Parametric Design in Graphic Design.”

Design is less about intuitive, even ingenious “strokes of genius” and more about a holistic and rule-based (systemic and systematic) process of gaining knowledge and shaping form. It is becoming increasingly important to be able to design dynamic systems that both guide and inspire the design process.

Parametric design refers to this design in and of systems—with rules, their modes of operation, and systematic manipulability. The research project, led by Prof. Heike Grebin, is an integral part of teaching and aims to raise awareness of design as a performative process.

Play the System brings together selected study projects in which the system plays an important role as a design method – whether analog or digital. The works are created in a fruitful symbiosis of theory, design, and technology. Socially relevant issues and positions from philosophy, art, and avant-garde design from around 1900 to the present day are repeatedly discussed.

Play the System is an invitation to become aware of the systemic competence of graphic design and to gain the maturity to use the tools of digital design critically.

Manifestos. Construction

p49 / Manifestos. Construction

Manifestos. Deconstruction

p48 / Manifestos. Deconstruction

Collage as Commentary

p36 / Collage as Commentary

Type Out Loud. Construction

p52 / Type Out Loud. Construction

Group Picture. Studio

p17 / Group Picture. Studio

Typo Out Loud. Affirmation

p50 / Typo Out Loud. Affirmation

Chances. Risks. Side Effects

p57 / Chances. Risks. Side Effects

Humboldt and the Wrath of God

p20 / Humboldt and the Wrath of God

Line System

p27 / Line System

Dis(Order) of Knowledge

p55 / Dis(Order) of Knowledge

Visual Systems

p19 / Visual Systems

Transformation

p44 / Transformation

Found Poetry

p15 / Found Poetry

Hands on Tools. Kinetic Typographic

p23 / Hands on Tools. Kinetic Typographic

Kinetic Experiments

p24 / Kinetic Experiments

Verbal Intervention

p28 / Verbal Intervention

Manifestos. Affirmation. Digital

p3 / Manifestos. Affirmation. Digital

Construction as Commentary

p40 / Construction as Commentary

Typography With Attitude

p39 / Typography With Attitude

Fan Scans for Scan Fans

p13 / Fan Scans for Scan Fans

Algorithm with Turbo Pascal

p18 / Algorithm with Turbo Pascal

Moving Type

p7 / Moving Type

Layer It!

p6 / Layer It!

A Workshop for a Workshop

p1 / A Workshop for a Workshop

Planned Work

p33 / Planned Work

Repetition. Rhythm. Pattern

p31 / Repetition. Rhythm. Pattern

From 2D to 3D and Back

p56 / From 2D to 3D and Back

System Font

p35 / System Font

Typo Basis 3D

p54 / Typo Basis 3D

Typography in Space

p21 / Typography in Space

On Democracy

p11 / On Democracy

Sweet Sixteen

p42 / Sweet Sixteen

Theme-Centered Interaction

p43 / Theme-Centered Interaction

Karl’s Box

p22 / Karl’s Box

ParaMat (Karl’s Kasten)

p12 / ParaMat (Karl’s Kasten)

Manifestos. Affirmation

p47 / Manifestos. Affirmation

Type & Politics

p46 / Type & Politics

Typography As an Event

p25 / Typography As an Event

Light. Layers. Typography

p38 / Light. Layers. Typography

A Bit of a Workshop

p0 / A Bit of a Workshop

Print or So

p30 / Print or So

Manifestos. Deconstruction. Digital

p10 / Manifestos. Deconstruction. Digital

Show the Flag!

p14 / Show the Flag!

Poster Series

p5 / Poster Series

Get Fast and Loud!

p8 / Get Fast and Loud!

A Poem as You Like It

p2 / A Poem as You Like It

Color. Form. Grid.

p41 / Color. Form. Grid.

Courage to Rage

p53 / Courage to Rage

Mount Everest

p16 / Mount Everest

Type. Space. Motion

p37 / Type. Space. Motion

Structure & Movement

p34 / Structure & Movement

Poster Studies. Analog

p4 / Poster Studies. Analog

Deconstruction and Feminism

p9 / Deconstruction and Feminism

Sound’n’Type

p32 / Sound’n’Type

Dream Spaces

p45 / Dream Spaces

Potential Poem

p29 / Potential Poem

Type Out Loud. Deconstruction

p51 / Type Out Loud. Deconstruction

Manifestos. Construction. Digital

p26 / Manifestos. Construction. Digital