Prof. Dr. Michael Erlhoff passed away last year. In this commemorative publication, alumni and colleagues pay tribute to his work as a person and designer.
Michael Erlhoff (1946-2021) was a prominent design thinker, author, lecturer, and designer. He was the founding dean of the “Cologne Department of Design” (today: KISD) in 1991 and researched and taught as a design theory and design history professor until 2013.
Michael Erlhoff was a great teacher and colleague, also a close friend. At the same time, he was an excellent writer, an influential design scholar, a creative theorist, an extraordinary observer, and an excellent critic. In addition, educated sociologist and a notable discoverer who could find talents and potential.
This Festschrift (commemorative publication) was created by Maziar Rezai and Simon Meienberg, old KISDs in collaboration with some of Michaels colleagues, senior students, and close friends to pay tribute to him. The main concept of this booklet is modelled on Dadaism, a movement to which Michael was very attached. The Festschrift celebrates his critical spirit, his wisdom and his kindness. Qualities that will live on in his students.
The booklet contains 14 artwork/images/messages by 15 designers/design researchers/lecturers honoring Michael Erlhoff. Wolfgang Jonas, Dustin Jessen, Simon Meienberg, Claudia Saar, Birgit Mager, Maziar Rezai, Veselina Koleva, Angelia Knyazeva, Michelle Christensen, Florian Conradi, Stefan Schmidt, Jan Zurwellen and Tom Bieling are from the contributors. The main idea of this project is adapted from the Dadaism Style, the movement which Michael Erlhoff knew very well and for years wrote and talked about.
The Festschrift: