ArtCenter Berlin Collective —
Book Design
CREDITS —
Client: ArtCenter College of Design
Author: Aaron Smith
Author: Rob Clayton
Editor: Ann Field
Photography: Vina Rostomyan
Design: Vina Rostomyan
Published by ArtCenter College of Design
Printed at Typecraft
Berlin Collective is a satellite studio program run by ArtCenter College of Design, offering students an immersive creative experience in Berlin's vibrant art and design scene.
I was invited to document the program's inaugural launch—photographing the first twelve students as they navigated the city and their creative practices in this new context. The book captures both the physical experience of Berlin and the internal transformation that happens when students step outside their familiar creative environment.
I was invited to document the program's inaugural launch—photographing the first twelve students as they navigated the city and their creative practices in this new context. The book captures both the physical experience of Berlin and the internal transformation that happens when students step outside their familiar creative environment.
I designed the book to reflect this duality: documentary photography paired with student reflections, laid out to create rhythm between observation and introspection. A running timeline begins on page one and counts the students' time in Berlin in seconds—progressing throughout the book until it reaches zero on the final page. The design makes time tangible, turning the ephemeral experience of studying abroad into something you can feel slipping away as you turn each page.
