WorkGraphic Design

Bureau Mitte: The design studio truly Werken it

There's certainly no shortage of fantastic work in the portfolio of Frankfurt-based studio Bureau Mitte; and its most recent project to catch our eye is this, the fifth issue of a little magazine called Werken. Each issue of the mag focuses showcasing the work of a different artist or designer, with the latest dedicated to Norwegian designer Hans Christian Øren.

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Four pages from issue five of Werken magazine designed by Bureau Mitte, showcasing Hans Christian Øren's work with geometric shapes, photographic elements and minimal typography on white pages with dark binding

"The predominantly digitally created image landscapes are brought to life by structures from a variety of materials," says Bureau Mitte." Straight-lined, geometrical shapes are complemented by dynamic elements, whose contours appear to be continuously evolving. Object, shape and surface come together as an exciting collage. Some of Hans Christian’s works feature typographical elements, which combine a variety of types and fonts, and so create a whole new typeface."

Such reverence isn't just demonstrated in text, but in the craft and finely tuned design sensibility applied to the magazine itself. The text is bared back and minimal, allowing the images to sing, and the monochrome palette coupled with unusual crops makes for a bold yet understated finish.

Open pages of Werken magazine issue 5 displaying geometric black and white abstract imagery with intersecting lines and shapes
Abstract composition with light blue background and black silhouettes of organic shapes stacked vertically, resembling a minimalist face or profile
Four spread pages from Werken magazine issue 5 showcasing geometric and typographical design work by Hans Christian Øren in monochrome
Black and white digitally created collage featuring overlapping portrait faces, geometric shapes and textured elements arranged dynamically across a white background
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