My Babbelbook

Experience writing and language

The creative engagement and exploration of writing and words should be encouraged
and so we started with the topic of calligraphy and graffiti.

Pictures with their own names were created. There was an introduction to the design of characters, graffiti and graphic possibilities. In one module, the participants were able to help design an outside wall with graffiti, which was a school project, and add their own ideas. Afterwards, everyone was able to experiment with printing techniques in a printing workshop
, designing letters, images and individual motifs to create an overall picture.

The next module was collage techniques. Using different colored papers, everyone was able to create their own portrait on A3 paper using the collage technique. This resulted in several funny portraits of family members or friends. This gave rise to the idea of creating funny masks on paper bags to portray the group.

Over the next few weeks, the individual pictures were put together in a book, a binding type was chosen and further pictures and texts were designed and integrated into the book. Book title pages were designed. Themes such as friends, family and the native language were chosen. Calligraphy was tried out, also to practise writing and language. Everyone was asked to create a picture of their origins, where they were born and grew up, their memories of their homeland – the theme of identity and the multicultural background of the participants. In the fall, there was the opportunity to use the school’s own typesetting workshop. Everyone started with a word of their own choice to try out the approach to typesetting and printing. A new experience and an exciting insight for everyone into the production of printed products. They were then able to print a set, try out different fonts, colors, papers and also insert these works into the book.

In the last few weeks, the plan was to focus on the Christmas season and create decorations for the classroom. Here, too, the focus was on writing. Large-format lettering on wishes, hopes and expectations were formulated, cut out in color, designed and displayed as large posters on the walls and windows. At the same time, there was a lot of discussion and exchange about holidays, festivals and traditions here and in other countries. The project ended in December with a small closing party.

Photos: Janina Kracht