Designer: Stefan Guzy, Björn Wiede

Client: Freie Universität Berlin

Size: 23.4 x 33.1 inches

Printing Process: Offset

Number of Inks: Four-Color Process

Berlin studio Zwölf will be making a lot of appearances in this column in the very near future. (We will get used to their "life-size" way of photographing their posters, don't worry.) Unleashing an avalanche of incredible work recently, they have made me wish that I had added a 31st profile to New Master of Poster Design: Volume Two. Highlighting their innovative typography, and conceptual outlook, while keeping to an economy of colors and never overplaying thier hand, even when intentionally messy, the collection is awe-inspiring. Such a splendor of riches, I barely knew where to start. Then, I decided to focus on the piece that most closely visualized the feeling I had in trying to come to such a selection.

The duo of Stefan Guzy and Björn Wiede set about creating a barrage of information flowing in and out of the reader's field of vision, establishing an anti-rhythm of mismatched fonts and weights and white space mixed with crammed together portions. "Über Kritzlen was a conference for scholars, at the notable Freie Universität Berlin, on scribbling and visual notations," explains Guzy. "We googled literally all of the text elements for the poster in Google Books, and then sliced up the screen shots to assemble the final piece."

In the process, they managed to pull together a unifying element via the yellow highlight of the words created by the search program, forming a visual glue. The text manages a manic, yet soothing sensibility, and is unlike anyting I have ever seen before—yet made of something I see every day. Along with their cheeky horizon formed by submerging the title just a bit, as it rises above, it truly is the dawning of a new day.

You can always get John Foster's thoughts on posters in book form via New Masters of Poster Design, New Masters of Poster Design: Volume Two, 1,000 Indie Posters and many more.

NOTE: Poster of the Week runs every Wednesday. Check it out each week!