Valerie Kemper
I/WE
The poster ICH/WIR sends a clear message in a time when social cohesion seems to be falling apart. The oversized, white “I” screams at us—loud, dominant, impossible to miss.
Only on second glance do we notice the tiny “WE” tucked into the bottom corner—quiet, almost invisible.
This work is a critique of growing social indifference, isolation, and the erosion of collective responsibility, all fueled by an increasing obsession with the self.
In a time when individual concerns often outweigh the common good, the poster reminds us not to lose sight of the WE.
Germany
2025
Tamara Wirth
Paul
A twelve year old boy with a toy gun has been shot in a playground in Cleveland, Ohio, by two policemen.
Germany
2016
Rahul Nair
Commitment
Every day we have to make many decisions of varying importance. Thanks to e-mail and social media, we are flooded with information and a multitude of more choices. So how can we make the best decision? Do we have the courage to commit ourselves to a decision? Or should we postpone, or even just ignore it? Perhaps with a self-justification that ‘maybe’ a better choice may present itself in the future? This solution seems simple enough for us but yields no added value to the people affected, or does it? For my part I can say that it even pisses me off major league. A ‘maybe’ in itself is not evil and often essential. But it has mutated into a state of mind and a justification towards inaction. Beyond a doubt, this is dangerous. So snap out of lethargy and indifference, make a stand for things that matter and start committing yourselves to your convictions.
Germany
2012
Julien Joliat
Pandemic
Love life, stop fanaticism.
Switzerland
2012
Martin Rybacki
Truth
A person is noticibly nervous and even frightened by what reveals itself on the table after the package is opened – the person is frightened so much that he or she almost does not dare to look at it.
My idea deals with the individual and his or her fear and unwillingness to accept personal responsibility for the (often brutal) truth in his or her own life. The opportunity to bear this responsibility reveals itself not only in difficult situations but also in seemingly trivial ones. I believe that avoiding your responsibility for the truth has severe individual and global consequences.
Germany
2017
Julia Schygulla
Women
Women are still oppressed and disadvantaged by men in the most diverse areas of life. In the family, as well as in the public and the world of work, they are affected by social inequalities, which are caused, among other things, by traditional roles and gender prejudices. Women are underrepresented in leading positions and more often than men have a passive, reserved role in the background. They are taken less seriously and less perceived and encounter significant obstacles in the ascension within the hierarchy.
Germany
2019
Oleksandr Parkhomovskyy
Stop global warming
The threat of global warming is exaggerated and underestimated. This is a reminder, not to be taken too seriously, but also not to completely dismiss.
Germany
2015
Peng Jun
Iron-Fisted Rule
The poster is based on the element of the fist, combined with the image of China’s national leader »Xi Jinping«. Xi Jinping is like a pioneer against corruption and wants to form an honest government and thus realizes the great dream of a powerful country.
China
2015
Rasim Sarikaya
To Peace!
The symbols are relative. Different functions can be named depending on where and how they are used. Sometimes a symbol has no meaning to someone. In the same way, concepts are relative too. Sometimes they’re not even concepts, they’re only words. Such as “Peace”.
Turkey
2018
David Jimenez
Hasta la Visa Baby
Sometimes our dreams are terminated, just like that, because we don’t have that requirement called VISA.
Ecuador
2018
Stefan Neubauer
Popo-listen
Hungary, Great Britain, France, USA, … The rise of populist politicians and parties is increasing worldwide. Time to hold a mirror up to the protagonists and supporters. Translation: Populisten – german for „populists“ / Popo – german for „bum“)
Germany
2017
Sébastien Marchal
Devouring
More than 350 million tons of plastic waste are produced each year worldwide; 8 million tons end up each year in the oceans; this volume of waste increases by 3 or 4% each year; the largest portion of waste is packaging and containers. Against this disposable plastic production, we need recyclable or biodegradable packaging, and above all we must come back to returnable and reusable containers.
France
2021
Dominik Schumacher
The bloated
To grin and bear it.
Germany
2013
Olivier Ploux
Social Media and Pollice Verso
My poster is a diversion of the famous paint “Pollice Verso” or “Thumb-down” from French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme created in 1872. The controversy on the reality of the thumb_down during gladiator time doesn’t matter because the public still have the right to save or kill a life…
What is important to me, is how the public, anonymous persons, can have the right on penalty death on an unknown person trying to save his life. How can people make their own opinion on a situation and decide how it will end or continue? Gladiatorial is a combat but before everything an entertainment. Gladiators are looking for opportunities and self-promotion. Public make them famous or not.
How weird is our time which, through social media, seems to replicate the same entertainments with the brutalities. Is human being changed in two thousand years?
We observe exactly the same mechanism on social media. In one hand few people make incredible things trying to get famous, earn money and in a way promote themselves. In the other hand, unknown people, debate, talk, judge, observe, look and decide with the thumb (or common social media language) to like or dislike any content, any post, any page… any person.
We’s have seen how far can people go on social media and the power of the public on it.
Is social media the new arena for modern gladiatorial?
France
2021
Bartholomäus Zientek
Listen Son
The menu of the media. (Recap of last years most notable issues as a single headline)
Germany
2017
Kai-Uwe Niephaus
Intangible
Behind an invisible, yet strong curtain, anything seems possible. Apparently.
Germany
2014
Kai Bergmann
Hund
“Plakate sind interaktiv.
Und provokativ.
Dieses mal nicht dekorativ.
Aber dafür plakativ.
Germany
2011
Nikodem Pregowski
»Be a hero«
Be active, be aware, be of good cheer, be kind, be ready, be smart, love other people, take on responsibility, BE A HERO!
Poland
2015
Andrea Schulz & Christoph Engelhard
Pay raise
Despite the social consensus for equality between women and men, the actual gender equality has still not really been enforced. There are many hidden and rather inconspicuous scenarios of gender discrimination, but one of the most obvious injustices is the difference in payment between men and women engaged in the same occupation. And this is only influenced by a small physical difference. And even more important: it doesn´t have any affect on the performance in any way. It´s just ridiculous, that´s why we want to put things right with this poster!
Germany
2013
Jan Aniobi
No Posters. Discussions!
The poster takes up on the design of typical german prohibition signs and their language. There are many prohibition signs in Germany and the yellow ones with black borders are a common sight. Often applied to guard against trespassing or to keep people from putting up posters.
The signal effect and imperative nature of these signs is retained in order to play with familiar visual patterns. The command „Diskutieren statt plakatieren!“ could roughly translate to „No Posters. Discussions!“
On the surface „Diskutieren statt plakatieren!“ looks like a prohibition sign but beneath that is a demand for a more nuanced culture of discussion beyond slogans and the language of campaigning.
Germany
2016
Elham Hemmat
Life is not a battlefield
Solutions instead of fighting and arguing!
In this work fighting men and women are compared with poultry. Problems shouldn´t be resolved through fighting, but peaceful consultation.
Iran
2014
Dominic Achilles
Big Brother is watching You
Do you really want to live in a surveillance state, giving up your privacy and freedom for pretended temporary security?
Germany
2013
Lilly Urbat
ABCDemocracy
The poster is about the connection between education and democracy. A fair world is only possible if all people are responsible and capable of understanding and producing content matter. No one may be left out.
Germany
2012
Truely He
Transgenetic Wheat
Has genetically modified food already shown up in your daily life? Are you enjoying horrible genetically modified food right now?
I do not believe that genetically modified technology can be perfect. Many examples are proving that our health is being threatened by the variations of plants’ DNA. Therefore, let’s pay close attention to the GM food around the world.
China
2013
Jiayang Zhao
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence should not be tolerated, and everyone has the right to live in a safe and healthy environment. If you are experiencing domestic violence, please take action immediately, seek help and support, and protect yourself and others from further harm.
China
2023
Gorilla
East meets West
East meets West’ by Gorilla is a comment on the clash of Western and Middle East culture. In the West, there has been a lot of discussion about prohibiting traditional Eastern clothing like the burqa and the niqab. There seems to be a fear of the anonymous. On the other end of the scale, exhibitionism, voyeurism and pornography is becoming an increasingly dominant part of Western culture. One can question oneself what is more offending to the other.
Netherlands
2011
Che Liang
Poach
1. The Tibetan antelope is facing a massacre.
2. Shotguns are the embodiment of greed and ignorance.
3. No killing, no trading.