Estudio M

estudiom.es 

Marion Dönneweg + Merche Alcalá.

 Why come together; a graphic designer and an architect?

After many years working each in their discipline, in late 2006 we decided to get together to test a new formula. Because we are convinced that if you think about a project together from the beginning, it certainly becomes a consistent thing, one discipline building on the other.

We have breakfast every day together and share a table. Imagine what an architect can see in a packaging or a graphic designer in a wall. If the interiorism is done by one and the graphic design by another, surely everyone is working in a different direction. It may not disturb (at best), but it is unlikely that they will complement, let alone work together to make a brand “talk” in all its manifestations with a single, coherent voice. We always try to have an emotional link with the customer, and this is not achieved simply by decorating a space with the logo or corporate colours, we think it requieres mucho more subtle and intangible languages.

We are specialists in anything concrete. We like to say things, whether on paper, in a space or through an object. Any medium is capable of telling a story.

We like to take a raw idea without baking, and knead it until we like what we see. Sometimes cupcakes became muffins.We believe more in practice than in theory. Until we see it, is not worth much. Good design requires intuition and common sense. It sounds so obvious and is so difficult.Besides the projects that bring together the two disciplines, each continue working in their field.

In Barcelona, Estudio is most known for the re branding of the famous Eyescream parlor/cafe. Through prior research I knew of the chain and wanted to visit the store whilst there.

The style is a brilliant blend of minimalism and warmth. It's always been a challenge to balance a minimalist style and also an inviting one. It can often come across as cold and unfamiliar, which would naturally not fit the brief of a social, friendly cafe.

I adore the simple illustrations that help pull these two ides together. It helps that the food is amazing too. I'd love to get in touch and speak to the members of the studio. Their style is very much suited to my own manifesto of friendly, approachable, engaging graphic design.