Characters are ready to take over...

Today's visual culture has been taken hostage by a new species of character - abstract and reduced to the max. In the process of a truly evolutionary boost, they invade digital media, animation, advertising, art, fashion and street art. They playfully quote and remix such diverse phenomena as pop culture, tribal and folklore, brand logos and comics without restricting themselves to any single one of these genres. Characters speak to you at an emotional level - if you want it or not - and cross all cultural boundaries.

Starting in 1999 with the world's first extensive inventory, collection and archive of contemporary character design, the Berlin based Pictoplasma project is defining the shape and velocity of this trend. Besides giving the characters a timeless and worthy manifestation through their acclaimed publications, Pictoplasma has been bringing together a growing international community of designers, artists, critics, producers and fans at their annual conferences in Berlin.