Cristina Talpa

Cristina Talpa

Graphic Design, Textile Design in Berlin, she/her

About

Interdisciplinary designer born in Moldova and currently based in Berlin. She has worked at the intersection of digital and graphic design. Aside from client work, she works on personal projects, driven by temporary interests, intuition, craft.

Experience with cultural institutions, artists and studio teams;

Focus on supporting minorities, specifically women;

Ethical design practice focused on empowerment, sustainability, social engagement and female entrepreneurship.

Cristina is fluent in English, German, Russian. Her native language is Romanian.

Projects

2024
Teaching Machine Knitting at Workshops

I started teaching machine knitting for beginners at my studio in 2024. Offering multiple workshop formats from beginner to intermediate levels, mostly for Brother Knitting Machines

2024

I was lucky to work together with photographer Sebastian Reuter helping him in editing and delivery of his pictures for Berlinale and for several Berlin Fashion Week Shows: Rianna + Nina, Namilia, PLNGNS, Bobkova

2023

Sandra Man is an artist working in live performance, video and writing. I designed her homepage considering “the audience” can have a sense of autonomy within her digital space.

In her performances, things happen simultaneously. The navigation follows this idea and the underlining “everything is connected” thread that goes through all of her work.

2022

In an effort to maintain ties with my home country, I had the opportunity to design the brand identity for a small business in agriculture and food production.

They're committed to minimizing waste, so I created a versatile motif featuring cheerful, mix-and-match fruit illustrations. Using stickers allowed multiple variations while keeping affordable production costs, which was essential for them as a starting business.

2020

Miukh is a Berlin-based, female-led leather label founded by Margit Kasper. I've designed her identity to reflect Margit's commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing, featuring a clean typographic style, a neutral color palette, and accompanying photography.

We collaborated with Sebastian Reuter, Art-Directing and defining Miukh's Brand Photography.

2019

Design for a current and a visionary customer journey for Volkswagen board presentation.

Me and Anna Olenicenco worked together on defining the overall stylistic language, the backgrounds and characters.

Side Projects

Ongoing

A personal project at the intersection of graphic design, textile design and coding exploring an alternative approach to work and fashion.

Work Experience

2023 — Now
Berlin, Germany
  • Social Media Strategy, Research, Graphic Design for SM Channels.
2016 — 2019
Berlin, Germany
  • Part of the Commerzbank team working on updating and redesigning their Mobile App;

  • Responsible for the concept, design, art direction of the website introducing the launch of the Mobile App;

  • As part of the cooperation project with Darmstadt University, mentoring for students, group work, lecture on User Interaction Design.

2014 — 2015
Digital Designer at 21 Learning
Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Main design for a learning tool for pupils and students;
  • Art direction of homepage, illustration, animation.
2012 — 2014
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
  • Banners, advertising and marketing materials for the web platform and its social media channels;
  • Social Media Manager.
2015 — 2016
M.A. Advertising at Babeș-Bolyai-University
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2016 — 2016
M.A. Erasmus Social and Business Communication at Universität der Künste
Berlin, Germany
2009 — 2012
B.A. Visual Communication at Arts and Design University
Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Certifications

2022
I.S.I Berlin

Businessplan-Erstellung with Jenny Xavier Kocheril
Empowerment for the self-employed with Irina Gelwer
Mentorship with Andrea Romero

2020
Machine Knitting Courses from Electronic Knitting Insititute, Berlin; All Knitwear, New York

Features

2021

Article about my knitting practice and machine knitting

2019

Article about the cooperation between Neugelb Studios and Darmstadt University.

Exhibitions

2022
24h Vision Kultur Makers Show
Berlin, Germany
2022
Patchwork: A Celebration of Berlin's Diverse Fashion at Berlin Black Women
Berlin, Germany
2020
Chișinău, Moldova, Amural Festival Brașov, România
2016
“Ding Dong” Dramaturgical Agency and emergent Narration of Things and Objects at Universität der Künste
Berlin, Germany
2012
Graduation exhibition at the Arts and Design University
Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Speaking

2019
Lecture on User Interaction Design at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
Darmstadt, Germany

Awards

2023
From Artist Sandra Man:

Die Zusammenarbeit mit Cristina kann man sich nicht besser vorstellen: Zugleich kooperativ und eigenständig ist sie auf meine Bedürfnisse eingegangen und hat dafür die perfekten Lösungen gefunden. Ihre kreativen Vorschläge kamen aus der intensiven Beschäftigung mit meiner Arbeit, die sie auf beeindruckend schlüssige Weise für das Design interpretiert hat. Daraus ist eine in sich stimmige Darstellung nicht nur meiner Einzelprojekte, sondern des Gesamtcharakters meiner Arbeit entstanden. Ich habe Cristinas Arbeitsweise als schnell, organisiert, genau und zuverlässig empfunden.

2022
From Photographer Sebastian Reuter:

We’ve been working together for more than 5 years now, shooting from big clients(Commerzbank) to personal projects. It’s always inspiring, professional and pleasant to have Cristina direct and organise photo shoots.

2021
From Artists Catalina Bucos, Ada Kopaz:

We loved working with Cristina! We needed help with the title and credits design for our performance movie. Overall she was very easy going, professional and careful to our needs. Cristina jumped in fast in the project, after we had to cancel with another designer. She offered us a few versions, we also had enough time for corrections. The communication was pleasant and friendly. The resulting design was very good!

2019
From Crafter Margit Kasper at miukh

Cristina´s Arbeit ist einzigartig. Sie griff meine vagen Ideen behutsam auf und verwandelte sie gekonnt in feines minimalistisches Grafikdesign, wie ich es mir nicht hätte besser vorstellen können. Es entstanden Logo, Visitenkarten, eine Kollektionsbroschüre und Produktkarten für mein frisch gegründetes Ledertaschen-Brand. Cristina hat sowohl einen passioniertes Auge für die feinen Details, als auch den Blick fürs große Ganze. Ich kann sie nur weiterempfehlen.

2019
From Neugelb Designer: Tomas Hustoles

Cristina is a great designer with broad skillset coming from analog printing to interest in swiss design over contemporary typography ending and illustration at niche mobile patterns. She always sees problem critically, but can easily offer a variety of solutions and choose the relevant one. She likes to experiment and learn new things, but is also able to sit down and deliver quality. Also her design feedback was always very very very helpful. Always happy to work with Cristina.

Contact

Website