The intersection of culinary history and high-end graphic design has found a global stage in Latest York City. The Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim has announced that its lavish publication, “Aufgetischt – eine kulinarische Weltreise. Zur Kultur des Essens und Trinkens” (Set the Table – A Culinary World Tour: On the Culture of Eating and Drinking), has been named a finalist by the prestigious Type Directors Club (TDC).
This recognition places the Pforzheim-based institution among the world’s elite in typographic design. The TDC, an organization renowned for setting the global benchmark in the field of lettering and typography, evaluates works based on their aesthetic innovation and technical execution. For the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, this nomination serves as a validation of its commitment to integrating scholarly content with world-class visual presentation.
The publication, which was released in October 2025, is the result of a collaboration between the museum and the Stuttgarter graphic designer Ina Bauer. Published by Arnoldsche Art Publishers and made possible through the support of the Werner Wild Stiftung Pforzheim, the book accompanies a comprehensive exhibition of the same name that ran from October 2025 through April 2026.
Recognizing Typographic Artistry in New York
The Type Directors Club, founded in 1946, is a global organization dedicated to the excellence of typography. In the design community, the TDC’s annual awards are widely regarded as the definitive measure of success for typographers and art directors. Being named a finalist is an achievement that signals a function’s significant contribution to the evolution of visual communication.
The specific award the publication will receive remains to be seen. The TDC jury is scheduled to announce the final results and specific distinctions on July 16, 2026. The nomination highlights not only the content of the “culinary world tour” but the way in which the typography enhances the narrative of food and drink culture.
Friederike Zobel, Director of the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, emphasized the importance of this international nod. “We are very pleased with this further award,” Zobel stated. “It is a wonderful confirmation of the continuous and dedicated work of our team and underlines the high design standards of our publications. The fact that our books likewise receive international attention is a special recognition for us.”
A Culinary Journey Through Design
“Aufgetischt” is more than a catalog. it is a “Prachtband” (sumptuous volume) designed to mirror the richness of the culinary traditions it documents. By focusing on the culture of eating and drinking, the museum expanded its traditional scope of jewelry and adornment to explore the material culture of the table.
The design work by Ina Bauer is central to the book’s success. Bauer’s approach to the layout and typography was tasked with translating a “culinary world tour” into a visual experience. This synergy between the textual exploration of global food cultures and the precision of German graphic design is what likely captured the attention of the New York-based jury.
Key Details of the Publication
- Title: Aufgetischt – eine kulinarische Weltreise. Zur Kultur des Essens und Trinkens
- Designer: Ina Bauer (Stuttgart)
- Publisher: Arnoldsche Art Publishers
- Sponsor: Werner Wild Stiftung Pforzheim
- Associated Exhibition: Held at Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim from October 2025 to April 2026.
A Legacy of Design Excellence in Pforzheim
While the current nomination for “Aufgetischt” is a significant milestone, it is not the first time the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim has gained the attention of the Type Directors Club. The museum has established a consistent history of typographic achievement over the last decade.
In 2022, the museum received the coveted “Certificate of Typographic Excellence” for the publication “Die Mysterien der Zeichen – Johannes Reuchlin, Schmuck, Schrift & Sprache”. Notably, that volume was also designed by Ina Bauer and published by Arnoldsche, suggesting a highly successful and enduring creative partnership between the museum and the designer.
The museum’s relationship with the TDC dates back even further to 2015, when a series of exhibition posters produced by the museum impressed the selection committee. This pattern of recognition suggests that the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim views its publications not merely as supplementary materials to its exhibits, but as independent works of art that contribute to the global discourse on design.
| Year | Work Recognized | Award/Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Exhibition Poster Series | Committee Recognition |
| 2022 | Die Mysterien der Zeichen | Certificate of Typographic Excellence |
| 2026 | Aufgetischt – eine kulinarische Weltreise | Finalist |
The ability of a specialized museum in Pforzheim to consistently compete with major international design houses in New York underscores the global nature of the typographic community. It also reflects a broader trend in museum curation where the “book as object” is treated with the same level of rigor as the artifacts displayed in the galleries.
As the design world awaits the final announcement on July 16, the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim has already secured a victory in visibility, bringing international attention to the intersection of German cultural history and modern typographic art.
The next confirmed checkpoint for this story is July 16, 2026, when the Type Directors Club will announce the final award winners.
Do you believe the design of a book changes how we perceive the history it documents? Share your thoughts in the comments below.