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07.04.2026

We are excited to once again teach screen design and time-based media at the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design, as well as typography at the Merz Akademie, this semester.

H A N D develops meaningful and long-lasting visual identities, publications, printed matter, and websites with and for individuals, institutions, and businesses of all sizes and budgets, across the fields of art, culture, design, and commerce.

Rooted in the intellectual and creative methodologies of graphic design and driven by a limitless curiosity for emerging technologies, we operate at the intersection of tradition and modernity, constantly expanding our horizons to explore progressive visual languages and pioneering production techniques.

Our design approach is based on a collaborative dialogue with our clients, through which we uncover and articulate each project’s underlying contexts, aspirations, and values. Throughout the process, we critically engage with both theoretical and practical challenges, continuously examining aesthetic perceptions and functional conventions. This leads to solutions that move beyond superficial visuals, shaping unique narratives and deeper meanings that transcend any aesthetic, medium, or space.

Alongside our studio work, we are deeply committed to share our knowledge and experience by teaching classes, giving lectures, and conducting workshops on typography, book and screen design, and time-based media at various institutions and universities.

Services alisch berlec hönow
Diagram alisch berlec hönow

H A N D was founded in 2021 by communication designers Valentin Alisch, Niklas Berlec and Tobias Hönow, whose combined expertise across complementary disciplines enriches both the studio’s design practice and conceptual thinking.

VALENTIN ALISCH

 

Valentin operates at the intersection of code and design. With a background in web development, he investigates how technical systems can become vehicles to explore the boundaries between functional interface and experimental interaction.

NIKLAS BERLEC

 

Music has consistently influenced Niklas’ aesthetic thinking. Through his practice in VJing, he developed an experimental and synesthetic approach to design. His work delves into the temporal and spatial dimensions of graphic language, encompassing static compositions and dynamic 3D environments.

TOBIAS HÖNOW

 

Tobias’ interest in typography and language — its sign systems and potential as carrier of meaning — led to his passion for semiotics and type design. He translates this research into conceptual frameworks and typographic systems across various media and materials. 

SERVICES

Art Direction
Creative Direction
Graphic Design
Motion Design
Typography
Web-Development

Through trusting, long-term partnerships with our clients, the studio’s work has been honored with national and international awards and has been shown in various museums, exhibitions, and publications, such as the Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz, Museum für angewandte Kunst Wien, Ginza Graphic Gallery Tokyo, The Paper Gallery Seoul, National Centre for Architecture and Design Glasgow, C·PARK Haisu Culture Plaza Shanghai und Galerie Pro Arte Salzburg.

Awards & Recognition

2025100 Beste Plakate D/A/CH
2024Tokyo Type Directors Club Annual Awards, Prize Nominee Work
2023International Poster Festival, Selected Work
2021Type Directors Club New York, Certificate of Typographic Excellence
2021Tokyo Type Directors Club Annual Awards, Excellent Work
2020Golden Bee Global Biennale of Graphic Design
2020Akademiepreis der Staatlichen Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart, Fachgruppe Design
2020Die Schönsten Deutschen Bücher, Longlist
2020Tokyo Type Directors Club Annual Awards, Excellent Work
2019100 Beste Plakate D/A/CH
2019International Poster Festival, Selected Work
2019Macau Design Award
2019Antwerp Poster Festival
2018100 Beste Plakate D/A/CH (2×)
2018German Design Award, Newcomer of the Year Nominee

Clients

8Architecture
  • Achim Menges
  • allmannwappner
  • BDA Baden-Württemberg
  • BuildSystems
  • Bureau Baubotanik
  • Kœber Landschaftsarchitektur
  • Menges Scheffler Architekten
  • Richard Woditsch
10Art
  • Alf Setzer
  • Ann-Jospephin Dietz
  • Arthur Metz
  • Christine Koschel
  • Discoteca Flaming Star
  • Gerwin Schmidt
  • Julia Schäfer
  • Laura Becker
  • Ricarda Roggan
  • Rolf Bier
20Culture
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ästhetik e.V.
  • Fridas Pier
  • Heizr
  • ifa–Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen e.V.
  • JazzOpen
  • Kulturzentrum Merlin
  • Kunstbüro Baden-Württemberg
  • Künstlerhaus Stuttgart
  • Kunstmuseum Stuttgart
  • Kunstverein Wagenhalle e.V.
  • Musik der Jahrhunderte Stuttgart e.V.
  • Nachtsicht e.V.
  • POP—BÜRO Region Stuttgart
  • Royal 1850
  • Stadtlücken e.V.
  • Talentstiftung Henning Tögel
  • TanzSzene Baden-Württemberg e.V.
  • United We Stream
  • Werkstatthaus Stuttgart
  • zeitraumexit e.V.
13Design
  • anima ona
  • Bareis+Nicolaus
  • Designplus
  • hellofarm
  • Matter Of
  • Nam Huynh
  • Off Office
  • Sascha dos Santos Coelho
  • Silvio Rebholz
  • Studio Jonas Zieher
  • Studio Nicolas Zupfer
  • Studio Tillack Knöll
  • Wessinger und Peng
13Education
  • AA School of Architecture
  • Campus Gegenwart (HMDK Stuttgart)
  • Daniel Martin Feige
  • Entwerfen und Gebäudelehre (TH Nürnberg)
  • Fakultät Architektur (TH Nürnberg)
  • Fakultät Architektur (Universität Stuttgart)
  • Grundlagen der Gestaltung und experimentelles Entwerfen (ABK Stuttgart)
  • Institut für Buchgestaltung und Medienentwicklung (ABK Stuttgart)
  • Institut für Grundlagen moderner Architektur (Universität Stuttgart)
  • Klasse für Entwerfen, Architektur, Gebäudetypologie (ABK Stuttgart)
  • Merz Akademie – Hochschule für Gestaltung, Kunst und Medien
  • Peter Behrens School of Arts Düsseldorf (HS Düsseldorf)
  • Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart
9Music
  • CYPHER
  • Ensemble Ascolta
  • Ensemble Recherche
  • Juliet Records
  • Martin Nagy
  • Philipp Krebs
  • Pony Says
  • Sara Glojnarić
  • SWR Vokalensemble