Showcasing the incomplete works of a band that never became a band but a design studio

Welcome to the Autobahn Depot: the sediment from Autobahn's many years of work. Marvel at a non-chronological selection of designs created by Autobahn between 2005 and now. A fabric of remarkable and tactile creations, typography-driven works, process images, exhibitions and workshops.

The story of Autobahn
Dutch (typo) graphic design studio Autobahn (2005) is named after the fictional band in the film 'The Big Lebowski'. During their time at the art academy, Maarten Dullemeijer (1982) and Rob Stolte (1981) started a band with a number of fellow students, but soon decided that they could better stick to design.

The project that had the most influence on their design thinking after they graduated from the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU) in 2005 was Freshfonts. Autobahn was invited to participate in a Pecha Kucha evening. They decided not to give a portfolio presentation, but to take the opportunity to start a new project. The idea was to use gravity to generate fonts that became less and less readable. The result was a series of experimental fonts made with toothpaste (Heldentica), tomato ketchup (Tomatica) and hair gel (Gelvetica). The project was a bigger success than anticipated, but more importantly, their dormant love for experimental typography was awakened and nurtured with a new mentality.

Since then, Autobahn has taken the opportunity to expand their new experimental mindset through typography in every job. Craft plays an important part in their daily design routine as they experiment with materials, production methods and rediscovering old techniques. Combine this exploration with a clear concept and big gestures, and it results in a typical Autobahn design.

Autobahn has presented commercial and self-initiated projects with exhibitions in China, Spain, Belgium, Peru and The Netherlands, whilst also designing for clients like Sony Playstation Network, The IKEA Foundation, Royal Institute for the Tropics, Levi van Veluw and agencies such as 180 Amsterdam, Mediapartners, Youngworks and Indie Amsterdam. Besides working for clients, the two always initiate autonomous projects, like silkscreen prints made with real ox blood, a sustainable knowledge platform together with Arjan Hilgersom (De Groene Offerte) and the creation of a Cultural Olympic Village for the city of Utrecht (now De Werkspoorkathedraal). Their work is awarded, among other prizes, with seven European Design Awards.

Dullemeijer and Stolte were guest lecturers typography at Willem de Kooning academy in Rotterdam in 2010 and in 2013 at the Utrecht School of the Arts. Also they held workshops and lectures about creativity, typography and entrepreneurship in many countries, including China, Australia, Spain, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands.

In 2012, Autobahn was invited to talk at AgIdeas in Melbourne (AUS) and was part of the jury for the AgIdeas Newstar award. Stolte’s work has been published in leading books, magazines and newspapers worldwide. A solo publication of the work spanning 2006 to 2012 by Autobahn is available under the name of ‘We Love Graphic - Autobahn’. In 2018, Autobahn initiated the book ‘A is van Os’: a children’s book about the origin of our Latin alphabet. Created together with children’s book writer Bette Westera, the book is awarded with several international awards – including a Golden European Design Award and a D&AD nomination. The books are available in the Autobahn Outlet.

Autobahn is now working on a project with master perfumer Mark Buxton called GLYPHS: a collection of niche to-share perfumes based on the historical origin of our alphabet. GLYPHS is planned to launch on Kickstarter in May 2021.