Lab
Visual design experiments and creative explorations
Where ideas take shape before becoming projects
A curated collection of UI concepts, illustration experiments, graphic design studies, and creative explorations by freelance Art Director Christoph Gey. This space showcases ideas, sketches and projects that inform bigger work and reveal design thinking in action.
Black(out) & White(ness)
A personal project to improve as a freelance art director and freelance graphic designer with (mostly) black and white photographs and illustrations. I was curious about the visual outcome of a reduced color palette and fascinated about the blurred line of “design” and “art”.
Type Hype
Just some type experiments I made, to try new stuff and have some fun. All the artworks are done with paper and pencil only to keep a rough and raw feeling.
OBSERVATION
Jony Ive and Marc Newson are bringing the haptics back into the Ferrari
Most car manufacturers are racing for the biggest digital screen. But I don’t want to touch “coldness” when I drive. It doesn’t feel premium, and it’s not worthy of the Prancing Horse. It lacks soul. A Ferrari deserves a symbiosis—a marriage of physical switches and digital precision.
The LoveFrom Approach:
The Strategy: Solving the right problem:
Jony Ive (LoveFrom) understood something others missed: The iPhone needed a screen because it has to be everything(camera, map, phone). But a car has one primary purpose: Driving. By bringing back fixed controls, he gives the driver back their focus.
Tactile & Auditory Excellence:
Machined aluminum and glass controls. Every toggle produces a crisp, mechanical “click.” It’s the acoustic signature of precision. You don’t need to look; you feel the quality.
Invisible Quality:
The glass knobs are laser-cut with 13,000 microscopic holes just to let light pass through a solid black surface. You don’t see the effort, but you feel the magic.
Functional Stability:
They even added a dedicated handle next to the screen—not just for aesthetics, but to stabilize your hand so you don’t miss a button while driving over a bump. That is true User-Centric Design.
Visual Artistry:
They are literally cutting holes into OLED screens to integrate analog dials with a stunning parallax effect. Wildly unnecessary? Perhaps. Absolutely essential for the soul of the machine? Yes.
A bit of critique:
I’d love to see the “dimming effect” of the gear shifter translated to the UI—making digital transitions feel as organic as the physical ones.
The Takeaway:
Thoughtfulness. In a world of “fast AI,” we often overlook the most important ingredient: Deep Care. Everything in this cockpit has a purpose. Design isn’t just how it looks; it’s the thoughtfulness behind every click. That is the true definition of Premium.
Haptic paintings and contrasting worlds
These paintings experiment with haptic surfaces and contrasting visual languages. By merging familiar imagery with unexpected, contemporary elements, the works create tension rather than explanation — inviting interpretation instead of offering conclusions.
Brand character and visual identity studies
A collection of brand experiments exploring how identity, tone, and personality can be expressed through visual language. These concepts test the balance between playfulness and seriousness — translating character, attitude, and cultural references into distinct brand worlds across packaging, digital design, and visual storytelling.
Children’s cover design explorations
A series of illustrated children’s book cover experiments exploring how stories can be told through a single image. These concepts focus on imagination, abstraction, and emotional contrast — viewing the world from a child’s perspective and testing what feels charming, mysterious, or slightly surreal. The work intentionally concentrates on cover design only, as an exploration of visual storytelling and print aesthetics.
Material and tactile explorations in paper
This triptych of paper art compositions experiments with form, color, and material expression. By combining handcrafted elements with digital techniques, the series investigates how texture, light, and layering can convey realism and emotion, exploring the boundaries between physical and virtual media.
Digital art direction for brands & culture
A collection of digital design experiments exploring art direction, editorial layouts, and brand identity across music, fashion, and culture. The focus lies on translating attitude, mood, and visual language into cohesive digital experiences.
Illustrations in contrast and attitude
These black and white illustrations focus on attitude rather than realism. Through dense line work, strong contrasts, and graphic compositions, the drawings study with movement, rebellion, and visual intensity — blending cultural references from music, action sports, and exploration.
Create. Don’t destroy.
Prove. Don’t promise.
Give. Don’t take.
Ugly can be beautiful.
If handled with intention.
Designing moods for music
Album cover experiments translating sound, energy, and mood into bold visual identities. Focused on atmosphere, rhythm, and visual storytelling rather than genre. Tune in.
Raw
Over 35 acoustic tracks for a raw listening pleasure. I have this playlist on repeat for months and still love every single song.
Super Sonic Speed Machine
Energetic tracks I used to listen excessively when I was a kid. I keep them on repeat to get a flashback and energy boost.
Equilibrium
Dive into the balanced ocean of classical music. Ideal for focussed work sessions late at night.
HEELING
Quiet sounds that make a loud impression.
Underneath the Skin
Tracks that go underneath my skin and make me believe that we are more than flesh and bones.
Spirit
These tracks will fill you up with energy, make your head bounce, spirit dance and ideas fly – whenever you need it.
The Creative Heart
was a small interview series I created nearly 10 years ago. It captures the aura, thoughts and mindset of inspiring people. What pushes them forward? Who do they believe in? What problems do they face? The answers are just a few mouse clicks away.
Camera and Video Editing by Christoph Gey
