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We’re in Berlin, visiting the Gestalten HQ where Harald Dunnink talks to its founder and CEO, Robert Klanten (on the left). What sets Robert and his crew apart, is that they themselves dream up themes and books. In-house they spot what drives a community, finding the experts within these collectives, and spotlighting the aesthetics that let it stand out. Photo by Joca van der Horst →

Walk into any great book store, from London to LA and Paris to Tokyo, and you’ll find Gestalten there front and center. They’ve been global tastemakers since 1995. Through their diverse collection of titles, they strive to not only elevate and enrich their readers' lives but also to consistently engage with the evolving creative landscape around us →

Gestalten is based in the heart of Berlin. For close to three decades this publishing house has been at the top of its game. Over 40 team members create over 40 titles per year, for, on average, 40 eurosper book. In this German podcast, Ohne Den Hype #48, host Sven Juergensmeier dives deeper into tribes and business with Robert. Photo also by Sven →

Harald: “22 years ago I bought my very first book from them, Narita Inspected, a view on Japanese graphic design. It introduced me to this scene and inspired me with unexpected work. Above all, it allowed me to identify with a community far from home.” Compiled and edited by Lopetz from Swiss design collective Büro Destruct, an avid lover of Japanese culture and computer games, Narita Inspected reflects the entire variety of the scene's genius in comprehensive work samples, self-portraits, interviews, biographies, pictures of work environments and everyday visual culture →

Established in 1994 in Bern by founders HGB Fideljus Berger and Lorenz "Lopetz" Gianfreda, Swiss Graphic Design Studio Büro Destruct expanded in 1995 with the addition of Marc "MB" Brunner and Heinz "H1" Reber. From its inception, Büro Destruct has blurred the lines between art and commercial graphic design, demonstrated by the diverse techniques used and the wide range of projects completed for clients across various industries →

Lopetz taught himself Japanese by playing Final Fantasy VII, one of the most epic role playing games of all time →

Robert Klanten describes how making a book does something to you. Like launching a flight to the moon and getting to its dark side. The "dark side of the moon" is a term commonly used to describe the far side of the moon, which is the portion of the lunar surface that is not visible from Earth. The phrase is often used to convey a sense of mystery or the unknown. This moon poster is from the Gestalten shop, where Automobilist created six posters with the theme “Past Meets Future” →

As Robert positioned himself before the camera, Mel Goering found it necessary to extend his monopod to its maximum height – Robert Klanten is indeed a towering figure. His German publishing house has gained international recognition for delving into creativity. Mel encourages creative startups to attend events featuring engaging speakers, network with fellow founders, exchange ideas, and draw inspiration for their ventures. He made a profile on Robert and Gestalten on Medium →

From the temperate climes of the Spanish islands, over the Nordic fjords, and to the summit of alpine peaks, Wanderlust Europe points the reader in the direction of the continent’s most awe-inspiring routes.
Find out more at Mendo →

As Momkai, we worked for many years for the global Red Bull Studios. Uniting this collective of creative spaces in branding, principles, and platforms. To celebrate its fifteenth anniversary, the Red Bull Music Academy has curated conversations with masterminds and trailblazers in today’s music on their perspectives and strategies for success. Discover the Studios →

Held at Hamburger Bahnhof, Broken Music Vol. 2 delves into the fascinating world of vinyl records, tracing their rich history and showcasing artists' engagement with the medium over the past seven decades. The exhibition features 700 records, iconic covers by artists such as Andy Warhol and Barbara Kruger, immersive sound installations, and recorded performances. A tribute to the resilience of vinyl records in the digital age, the exhibition celebrates the continued devotion of artists and enthusiasts in Berlin and beyond.
Photo by Thomas Bruns →

Initially, the concept centered around a book exploring the visual culture of techno music and the entrepreneurial determination to bring it to fruition without the backing of a company, publisher, or substantial budget. The book, titled "Localizer 1.0," gained attention upon its release, indicating a demand and market for such content and a novel approach. Buoyed by the positive response and potential, Gestalten was established as a company →

The community plays a pivotal role in the publishing process of design books by inspiring ideas, fostering collaboration, offering feedback, and supporting promotion and continuous growth. It serves as a vital source of inspiration, encourages networking and collaboration, enables refinement of content through feedback, helps with marketing efforts, and promotes ongoing learning and professional development within the industry →

Monocle, a global affairs and lifestyle magazine, has collaborated with Gestalten to publish a series of books that focus on various aspects of contemporary culture, design, business, and travel. These books offer insights, guides, and recommendations on topics ranging from urban living to entrepreneurship, appealing to a wide audience of discerning readers →

Gestalten's Out of the Blue, showcases Finland's unique design culture. This book looks at legendary figures like Alvar Aalto and heritage manufacturers such as Marimekko, Iitalla, and Artek, as well as a new contemporary generation of chefs, explorers, makers, and entrepreneurs. Photo credits Robert Vahlstrom →

In 2016, Gestalten faced insolvency due to an inability to pay off debts and the risk of personal liability, which could have resulted in imprisonment, all stemming from a single unsuccessful brand store. How did Robert manage to restructure his business, emerging stronger from insolvency? Additionally, when a partnership fails, what measures should be taken to protect oneself and the business? Photo of Bikini Berlin, where Gestalten’s second store was located →

Spaces matter to Gestalten. Take The Touch, a book by Kinfolk and Norm Architects published by Gestalten, emphasizes the importance of human-centric design that engages all human senses. Featuring over 25 spaces exemplifying haptic design elements, the book includes stunning photography, interviews with design industry leaders, and references to philosophy and art history. Additionally, it profiles influential architects and highlights heritage design pieces that have shaped this movement, promoting a deeper understanding of the concepts explored in the book →

Gestalten found itself short of cash after running into problems with Space Berlin, a concept store it operated on the top floor of the Bikini Berlin retail and leisure complex in the German capital. Dezeen wrote more about it when it happened in 2016. Visual by Jaime Hayon →

Robert as an entrepreneur is eager to explore the unknown. Roads unknown. Like Autoban, the Turkish designers whose wonderful projects are documented in this striking book →

Follow long-distance adventurer Cam Honan as he guides the way through the trail's terrain, ecology, and history. Wanderlust USA is the ultimate guide to the great American hike and symbolic of the can-do mentality that is inspiring in the States. Photo by Simon Prochaska →

Established in 2014, Little Gestalten is a publishing imprint focused on producing visually captivating and imaginative books for children. Offering beautifully illustrated picture books, engaging stories, and educational resources, Little Gestalten aims to inspire creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning in young readers. Design magazine Slanted dives deeper into a selection of their books →

Robert mentions Chris Haughton. He’s an award-winning Irish illustrator, author, and designer known for his distinctive and vibrant style. His work is characterized by its bold use of color, quirky characters, and a touch of humor. Haughton has created several acclaimed picture books, such as "A Bit Lost," "Oh No, George!", and "Shh! We Have a Plan" →

For parents of children facing the loss of a family member, a friend, or a pet, this book by Gestalten finds words to express what is often so difficult to explain. Author Elisabeth Helland Larsen and illustrator Marine Schneider weave a tapestry out of direct, poetic words and hand-drawn pictures to give voice to emotions that are moving and honest →

The Sound of Letters offers a distinctive approach to alphabet books. With its stunning illustrations and vivid colors, this book presents each letter's sound in an innovative and engaging manner, setting it apart from other alphabet books. By Jeanne Boyer with illustrations by Julien Billaudeau →

By combining engaging narratives with eye-catching visuals, Little Gestalten creates picture books, nonfiction, illustrated stories, and pop-ups that captivate children across various age groups while also appealing to discerning adults →

From early days and famous designers like Charles & Ray Eames and Erik Spiekermann, Gestalten now puts its lens on intimate cultures, inspiring people, and incredible art everywhere. Follow them on Instagram →