Stromkilometer

Stromkilometer

Every year, the "Schulschiff"—a Viennese school located on a ship anchored on the Danube—hosts a competition called the "Stromkilometer." In this competition, students from the University of Applied Arts are invited to design a multiple that the graduating students of that year will receive as a graduation gift along with their diploma.

Graduation

With our idea, we were awarded the project and produced an edition of 90 pieces. Our own graduation wasn't too long ago, and we can still vividly remember the emotional rollercoaster of that time. While school prepares you for many things, it fails to prepare you for the inevitable dissolution of a socially significant community: the class. This social network, which plays an enormously important role in the students' development, was something we wanted to capture with our multiple. It represents looking back on a shared time, growing up together, fun and beautiful moments, but above all, forming long-lasting friendships.

Multiple

The multiple links the “Schulschiff”, the grassy banks of the Danube and the sense of community in a towel. Inspired by children's play mats with street prints, we designed an r-PET microfiber towel printed with a meadow pattern in the correct scale. When used, the background blends seamlessly with the grassy area, highlighting the second graphic element: a river network featuring a graphic abstraction of the Schulschiff navigating across the towel.

Pattern

What makes it truly distinctive is revealed when the recently graduated class reunites for a swimming day at Danube Island. As each student lays out their towel, the 1:2 aspect ratio causes the individual designs to connect, forming a continuous river network across the group. The towels, once separate, come together to represent the re-emergence of their social networks.

Credits

Picture from the "Schulschiff" by Thomas Kirchner under Creative Commons License.