Tourist Magazine

TOURIST magazine: How did you meet and come to set up Haw-lin?
NATHAN: We both began as interns at Hort and our desks were next to each other. After constantly looking over one another’s shoulders we realised we had pretty much the same tastes in most thing currently posted on Haw-lin. So instead of keeping our image sources to ourselves we decided to create an online mood board.

Tm: How did you experience Hort?
NATHAN: German but very non-"German". Very open but difficult. I was broke for 6 months. Borrowed money and grumpy friends. But, of course, I really enjoyed it. It was the only plan I had after I finished University, even then it was pretty much just good timing. (After reading Jacob's answer: "I was also really worried because I had no real plan as to what I was going to do after the internship.")

JACOB: It was a great time. Very international. Very inspiring. A lot of interesting people to work and hang out with. I think I have never worked as hard as I did during that time. I was also really worried because I had no real plan as to what I was going to do after the internship. But it all panned out good in the end.

Tm: Do you still work for Hort, or do you work mainly freelance now?
NATHAN: I still work for Hort and I also do a lot of freelance as well. Eike König, the founder of Hort, encourages us to pursue our own work, i.e. Haw-lin.

JACOB: Since I finished my internship I started freelancing. Mostly for Hort. But I am working on several other jobs at the same time.

Tm: How long have you been running Haw-lin?
NATHAN: We started the site in October 2008. So it will be 2 years this October.

Tm: Where are you from? NATHAN: Hawaii, USA
JACOB: Small Town, Germany (middle with lots of trees)

Tm: Do you still live in Berlin? What makes living there enjoyable?
NATHAN: I still live in Berlin. I enjoy how I can draw so many parallels to my previous hometown, San Francisco. But I do prefer the lack of hills here and being able to cycle everywhere, as well as the general carelessness that comes with so much engrained German rigidness.

JACOB: I also live in Berlin. I am really impressed by the history of this city and the way it is integrated and combined with today’s influences. I also like the contrast between summer and winter. It is like two completely different cities in one. And like Nathan, it's a great city to cycle around.

Tm: Are you working on any other projects right now?
We are involved in a few projects right now that involve Art Direction, Photo Styling, Fashion Design, Editorial Design, and developing a Haw-lin exhibition with original content.

Tm: Which is your preferred area of graphic design? NATHAN: I don't know.

"I LIKE BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE ENTIRE LOOK OF A THING"

I would prefer creating a sort of system. This can mean an entire identity, a poster series, a record cover series, etc. Just so that no artwork within the family is left behind.

JACOB: Hmm, preferred area of graphic design. I think I prefer working in the area of editorial- and corporate-design. But I am always up to exploring other areas of creativity.

Tm: If forced, how would you each describe your design style?
NATHAN: Uneducated.

JACOB: I actually think I don’t have a certain style. But if I had to find a word for it like Nathan did: Educated.

Tm: Obligatory question, what or who inspires you?
NATHAN: Tim Schmitt. And. Michael Jordan. And lots of movies.

JACOB: Fashion, interior design, architecture and Max Bill.

Tm: What is important?
NATHAN: A comfortable lifestyle with the possibility of being happy, a siberian husky, an iPhone, an iMac, and a couple of kids.

JACOB: Health, happiness, family, friends, my girl and some materialistic items that help me keep my life in order.

Tm: Can you tell us a bit more about the Haw-lin exhibition? Where will it be held?
NATHAN: We'll let you know when we know.
JACOB: Ja

Tm: What would be your advice to aspiring graphic designer post-graduates starting out on their own?
NATHAN: "Do what you you want then figure out how to explain it."
— Fogelson-Lubliner

JACOB: “Don’t be fooled: there is no ‘real world’ outside school.”
- Experimental Jetset

Images below curated by HAW-LIN.com for TOURIST magazine