Handwert – Traditionsberufe in der modernen Gesellschaft

Germany is one of the largest economies in the world. Thanks to the success of its many craft enterprises with long tradition, it has worked itself to the top. German products are known for quality and precision. Exactly those values are still pursued for gap-filling products made in small companies and manufactures far away from the industrial mass-produced goods. This project with the subject “traditional crafts” sociocritically deals with the importance of crafts in today’s society.

The book presents a cross section of small businesses and manufactures in an emotional and social context. The intention is to immerse the reader into the world of crafts both thematically and aesthetically. I aimed to create a design dialogue between the documentary photography and the interviews in the text section, to raise awareness of the value of handmade products, be it shoes, cutlery, organs, watches or violins. My main concern was to reconsider the negative associations of these dying professions.

Editorial & Illustration: Marcin Krawczyk
Photography: Sarah Schnurbus