Everyday Design

The “Advertising Media” collection encompasses primarily three-dimensional objects that served to advertise party propaganda, socio-cultural or economic-policy messages. The choice of ad media strongly reflects the respective zeitgeist. They offer an insight into both the entity that commissioned them and the intended target group. Our collection comprises a colourful range of advertising media from both West Germany and Communist East Germany: from ashtrays, buttons and ballpoints to matchboxes.

Advertising media in the object database

Signage refers to a medium bearing a symbol or information in the form of a plaque that has writing or an illustration or both on it. Signage is made in series or individually, industrially or manually. The preferred materials are metal, enamel, plastic, wood, stone, textiles, cardboard or paper. Signage can also take the form of an electric or electronic display. The collection includes information signs, plaques and labels, national emblems, commemorative plaques and advertising signs. They often expressly reference political and social trends and events.

Signage in the object database

Packaging is something that surrounds an item or several items in order to protect it/them, make it/them easier to handle or transport, and to present information and advertising. The preferred packaging materials are glass, metal, cardboard, paper, wood and plastic. The collection includes transport packaging such as crates and sacks, and above all product packaging in the form of bottles, cans, jars, tubes, bags, boxes and other containers. The shapes, materials, logos and design of such packaging often says a lot about the zeitgeist and social trends, in particular as regards consumerism.

Packaging in the object database

The “Covers” collection encompasses LP covers and CD booklets. The design and artwork of such covers reflect when they were made and the trends of the day. As a marketing tool, they convey messages to the intended audience. The collection includes both Rock and Pop LP covers from the 1950s onwards and covers that document political and social movements.

Covers in the object database