petting zoo memo game by christoph niemann for gestalten

petting zoo memo game by christoph niemann for gestalten
christoph niemann—petting zoo memo game, copyright gestalten 2013

title: christoph niemann—petting zoo memo game
format: 19.2 x 19.2 x 2.5 cm
features: full color, 36 pairs of matching cards
price: €14.90 / $19.90 / £12.99

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designboom rating: (must have)
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you can purchase the petting zoo memo game by christoph niemann through gestalten by clicking the ‘buy rightnow’ button.

earlier this year, graphic designer and author christoph niemann debuted ‘petting zoo‘, an interactive picture book for iPad and iPhone featuring 21 charming illustrations of animals, whereby users can simply swipe and tap them to see how they react in different scenarios. now the new york-based graphic designer and author has developed a traditional memo game released by gestalten that once again sees his whimsical and amusing hand drawings of now 36 creatures each depicted on a colorful card; combining classic educational fun with contemporary design that offers an enjoyable way for the entire family to train their memories.

each of the illustrations is depicted on a colorful card
christoph niemann—petting zoo memo game, copyright gestalten 2013

a total of 36 whimsical drawings of animals have been produced for the memo game
christoph niemann—petting zoo memo game, copyright gestalten 2013

teaser of christoph niemann ‘petting zoo memo game’ – what’s his game?
video courtesy of gestalten

you can purchase the petting zoo memo game by christoph niemann through gestalten by clicking the ‘buy rightnow’ button.

christoph niemann is also extensively profiled in gestalten’s newly released ‘a life in illustration: the most famous illustrators‘, alongside the work of other illustrators. the publication brings to light the contemporary world of illustration which no longer only encompasses the creation of children’s picture books or graphic novels. today, the role of an illustrator is much more diverse, the artistic practice now spanning to the design of logos, fonts and other typographic applications; involvement in the editorial design of newspapers and magazines; fashion and advertising applications; including the development of one’s own products based on their work, as is evidenced by niemann.

front cover of a life in illustration: the most famous illustrators and their work, copyright gestalten 2013

title: a life in illustration
subtitle: the most famous illustrators and their work
editors: robert klanten, hendrik hellige
format: 24 x 28 cm
features: 256 pages, full color, hardcover
ISBN: 978-3-89955-485-4
price: €39.90 (d) / $60 / £37.50

so, what does an illustrator actually do and in what fields can they be involved?

to bring light to the manifold facets of the medium, ‘a life in illustration‘ offers an extensive overview of the world’s leading illustrators — from jonathan corum of the new york times, peter grundy, jessica hische, jan van der veken, andrea ventura, as well as christoph niemann — and their portfolios, each one’s visual opus accompanied by descriptions that point to just how different their roles are; though all are working from the same creative basis.

christoph neimann from ‘a life in illustration’, copyright gestalten 2013 (pp. 54-55)

the book gives insights from the industry’s professionals, who provide their hands-on accounts of navigating through the various areas of the expressive discipline: fashion illustrator liselotte watkins gives her explanation of why a subject must not only be depicted with savvy, but also match the style of the publication in which the compositions will appear; information graphics specialists francesco franchi and jan schwochow discuss why the content of their work must be ‘absolutely correct’, and the research, image dissection and perseverance required in realizing their compositions; while children’s picture books creator oliver jeffers delves into the mastery of visual story telling and how one’s aptitude for timing, and sense of a narrative’s progression are key to a story’s success.

andrea ventura from ‘a life in illustration’, copyright gestalten 2013 (pp. 90-91)

despite the distinct avenues that the book’s featured commercial illustrators follows, they all collectively tell of the similar high demand placed on them in relation to teamwork, sensitivity to a client’s needs, and creative implementation, which goes outside of the realm of those who still think of them as tradespeople who simply execute ideas that are given to them.

‘a life in illustration’ is a personal account of what it is like to be engaging in a discipline that stands at the intersection of art and creativity, and what it feels like to go through the varied artistic undertakings an illustrator may take on. the publication is a good resource for any one interested in this medium, and who wishes to pursue a career in this field, revealing the perspectives, trials and triumphs of those already deeply engaged in this profession.