En
De

Joining MetaDesign after practice-oriented design studies at HMKW

For Tabea Otto, graduate of the M.A. Communication Design and Creative Strategies program, a dream came true right after graduation: In this interview, she tells us more about her new job as a designer at the well-known agency MetaDesign, as well as her experiences during her studies.

Tabea Otto studied Communication Design and Creative Strategies at Campus Berlin.

Tabea Otto studied Communication Design and Creative Strategies at Campus Berlin.

You graduated from HMKW a few months ago and are now working as a designer at MetaDesign. Congratulations on your new position. How do you like it so far and what project are you currently working on?

Thank you very much for the congratulations! I'm very happy to be working as a designer at a renowned agency like MetaDesign after graduating from university. I received a remarkably warm welcome there and appreciate working with talented designers in a very professional working atmosphere. I'm currently working on a branding project for a large technology company, where I'm helping to design the visual identity and brand communication and create guidelines.

 

 

Your master's thesis focused on the topic of weather communication. It was even awarded as one of the best theses at the graduation ceremony in early 2022. Please tell us more about this project!

In my master's thesis, "Weather Communication - Designed for Humans," I examined the method of communicating the weather, which is known to us as the "weather report". I discovered that it has one major weakness - the message. It consists of many numbers and values accompanied by a symbolic graphic element for the weather type. I have found that this translation of weather phenomena is difficult for humans to comprehend. As humans, we do not perceive weather in numerical values, and conversely, we would not communicate our impression of weather this way. Therefore, this conventional method of communication requires optimization for us humans. As part of my research, I have been studying human perception and phenomenology and experimenting with prototypes to make weather communication more accessible and relevant to users.

 

 

You already completed your bachelor's degree (B.A. Graphic Design and Visual Communication) at HMKW and then also did your master's (M.A. Communication Design and Creative Strategies). Why did you decide to study design in the first place - and why did you choose HMKW Berlin in particular?

I chose HMKW because a practical education with small groups and individual supervision by professors, as well as individual feedback, were particularly important to me. To further deepen my knowledge and skills in the field of design and research, I opted for the master's program in communication design. Additionally, the master's was in English, which provided me with an excellent opportunity to further improve my subject-specific English skills. Also, by studying together with students from all over the world, I was able to broaden my understanding of design in a global context to develop creative solutions for a wide range of cultural and social contexts.

 

 

What did you like best about your studies/the study program in general? And what was the biggest challenge during your studies?

In the course of my studies, I learned that design is a broad field that also offers room for scientific research. Design is not only an aesthetic process but also a strategic and conceptual approach to problem-solving. I saw it as a personal challenge to contribute and demonstrate, that scientific research can also bring new insights into the design field. I am excited by the opportunities that arise from merging research and design.

How do you get inspired? And what inspires you the most? What are your plans for the future?

I draw inspiration from everything; from projects and works by creative people, new technologies, and even everyday things like the weather. It's especially important to me to question and understand why something is designed in a certain way. Through this critical reflection, I gain new perspectives and develop ideas.

In the future, I would like to acquire more practical experience in the design industry, and in the long run, I aim to do a Ph.D. in design.

Thank you very much for the interview and the fascinating insights. All the best to you!