Christoph Niemann is an award-winning illustrator, artist, and author. Born in Waiblingen, Germany in 1970, he studied Graphic Design at the State Academy of Fine Art in Stuttgart, between 1991 and 1997. After completing his studies, Niemann moved to New York and began his career as an illustrator.
In 2010 he was bestowed the honor of being inducted into the Art Directors Club Hall Of Fame. The only club that can boast Paul Rand, Saul Bass, Milton Glaser, Andy Warhol and Jim Henson as members.
So, how did Christoph Niemann get his name included among such greats in less than 15 years?
Well, his path has been an expensive one, which has seen his work go from strength to strength both personally and commercially. It has seen him work with esteemed publications such as The New Yorker, Time, Wired, The New York Times Magazine. As well as leading corporate clients include Google, Amtrak, Herman Miller and The Museum of Modern Art.
Niemann is habitually starting projects and in July 2008 he started writing and illustrating Abstract Sunday (previously known as the whimsical Abstract City) as part of the New York Times blog. A personal series in which he explores New York, pop culture, food, music and family life. Using a cross-section of media, from the tradition to the not so traditional, such as Lego, napkins, and leaves. The visual and often abstract series was (and still is) hugely popular putting Christoph Niemann’s name on everyone’s lips. In 2012 Abrams Books compiled sixteen chapters of the blog into highly praised Abstract City.
Abstract City is one of his many books and projects. More recently Niemann released an interactive picture book for iPad and iPhone called Petting Zoo. Where, quite simply you get to swipe and tap 21 hand-drawn animals in the most amusing, adorable and soothing way.
For Niemann, concept and visuals go hand-in-hand, he never compromises on either one and is always taking a different approach to best convey the narrative or message. He often plays with our preconceptions and pokes fun at the status quo. Unafraid to be politically contentious nor unashamedly straightforward. The strength of Niemann’s work lies in its clarity and its ability to instantly connect with the viewer. No matter how simple his illustrations sometimes appear, they always invite the viewer to look again.
