In the Picture Book Lab at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences young talented artists and authors create new picture books for children and adults. The focus is on the artistic "making" of picture books, which involves a close connection between text and image as well as materials, format, dramaturgy, interaction and abstraction. Students write and illustrate their books from the first simple idea to a complex medium. We see ourselves as storytellers who work with word and image in equal measures.
Students within the lab are at both Bachelor's and Master's level in the Communication Design program. The Picture Book Lab enables them to concentrate fully on developing their personal style and to find their own narrative language. We regularly welcome illustrious guests – from authors and illustrators to agents and publishers. In the past we welcomed artists like Eleonora Marton, Leo Timmers, Christina Roeckl, Sonja Danowski, etc. and Publishers like Nicola von Velsen of Hatje-Cantz or Barbara Gizzi and Marco Ghidelli of RaumItalic.
Sven Völker is Professor for Experiment and Strategy in Graphic Design at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. He is the author and illustrator of "There is a little black spot on the sun today" together with musician Sting. His book "A Million Dots" is a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books 2019 winner. His latest book "Are We There Yet" about a bear and a butterfly and their great journey is a story about friendship, patience and the cycles of being. www.svenvoelker.com 
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