Studio Mayra & Sam

Mayra & Sam developed the visual identity of Joods Gemeentegebouw Haarlem: a new cultural institution about the history of Jewish Haarlem. The stately building along the Lange Wijngaardstraat in Haarlem once formed the heart of the Jewish community in the city. By transforming the building into a museum and educational center, Stichting Joods Gemeentegebouw is reconnecting the building with its original history. After the renovations, permanent and temporary exhibitions about Jewish religion, their role in society, and the isolation and persecution during the Second World War will be displayed on the first floor of the building. Mayra & Sam developed the visual identity. The visual characteristics of the Hebrew script were the main inspiration for the systemic interplay of lines in the icon and identity. This visual language of lines will return in all branded expressions of the institution. Because it is the foundations ambition to tell historical and contemporary stories within the walls of the muncipal building, the corporate identity attempts to encompass and reframe these stories with the dynamic lines from the logo. Animation by @_daanalberts

🏆 'De 11 stemmen van Srebrenica' won a Meesterverteller Award in the 'Experience' category! De 11 stemmen van Srebrenica (The 11 Voices of Srebrenica) is a multimedia project that tells the personal stories of Bosnian-Dutch individuals affected by the g3noc!de in Srebrenica. Through a podcast, publications in the @de_volkskrant and two exhibitions in @fotodok.nl and @nmkampvught , these testimonies are given a lasting place in Dutch collective memory, deepening and broadening our understanding of this history. Mayra & Sam led the design of the visual identity, both exhibitions, and all project communications. In collaboration with artist Anita Karabašić we developed an adaptation of the Srebrenica flower, an established symbol of the genocide, as the recognizable visual motif for this project. Combined with color gradients that shift from hopeful to dark and foreboding, it forms a versatile visual identity. Initiators: @almamustafic , @robin_de_puy , @fotodok.nl , @marjoleinck , @femdelabem , @nmkampvught , @de_volkskrant Illustrations: @penakistiscope Photo credits slide 3, 6: @vinogrradova

Did you know the canals of Amsterdam are full of wildlife? The exhibition ‘Animals of the Canals’ at the @grachtenmuseum introduces you to various canal residents. Meet the noisy neighbour (the parakeet), the flaneur (the mute swan), and the world traveler (the eel). @studio.mayrasam is responsible for both the graphic and spatial design. We created sustainable, reusable furniture designed to adapt to many different settings. ‘Animals of the Canals’ is on show until 23 November in the Grachtenmuseum. Production exhibition furniture: @joukeschouten Exhibition photography: @mikebinkfotografie

Artist Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000) was one of the first to devote himself to pictorializing the history of Black people in America. For @kunsthal_kade_amersfoort , Mayra & Sam designed the exhibition catalogue. The design of the publication, inspired by Lawrence's color palette, combines soft shades of pink and green with powerful, saturated colors on the cover. The modern typography subtly references the era in which Lawrence worked; the monotype font echoes the graphic notes from his sketchbooks.

Comic strips, vibrant colors, and plastic curtains: Pop Art demands a bold and flashy exhibition design. In addition to the publication, Mayra & Sam took care of the graphic design of the exhibition POP MODELS for @museummore . Lies Willers is responsible for the spatial design. Eye-catchers are the enormous plastic curtains, printed with large titles, representing consumer society. Together with the extensive selection of Pop Art paintings, collages, and objects, visitors can immerse themselves in this colorful and daring period in art history. Credits photography: @eva_broekema

We designed a Pop Art catalog for @museummore and @wbooksuitgeverij ! Advertisements, comic strips, bold colours – and women. These are defining elements of the European Pop Art in the 1960s and 1970s. The role of women in Pop Art was twofold. They embodied a stereotypical ideal, while also emerging as symbols of liberation. Alongside the exhibition POP MODELS, Mayra & Sam designed the accompanying catalog, bringing together artworks and essays. The spirit of Pop Art runs through the publication: bold, comic strip-inspired typography, flashy and vibrant colors, and spherical duotone images that capture the pulse of the era. Even in materiality, the subtly padded cover and compact format contribute to a Pop Art look.

The exhibition ‘De 11 stemmen van Srebrenica’ (The 11 Voices of Srebrenica) at Nationaal Monument Kamp Vught is part of a multimedia project that tells the stories of Bosnian-Dutch people about the gen0c!de in Srebrenica. Robin de Puy, a renowned portrait photographer and visual storyteller, portraited eleven voices of Srebrenica. At Nationaal Monument Kamp Vught, these portraits and stories are on display. She delves deeply into the memories of those portrayed and attempts to forge connections between the past and the present. Mayra & Sam designed an immersive space that invites visitors to experience these emotionally charged stories at their own pace. A maze of tall, deep blue walls and geometrically placed carpets forms a grandiose and menacing backdrop for the immense photographs. @robin_de_puy @nmkampvught @de11stemmenvansrebrenica @fotodok.nl Exhibition photography: @mikebinkfotografie

Last chance! The exhibition 'Samuel van Hoogstaten - The Illusionist', designed by @studio.mayrasam , is still on show until the 4th of May at @museumrembrandthuis . Make sure to make a visit to admire his art and learn about his impressive career! Photography: @mikebinkfotografie

NOW ON SHOW: Samuel van Hoogstraten, Rembrandt's most successful pupil, was a pioneer of illusionism in his paintings. His retrospective exhibition, designed by @studio.mayrasam , is now on show at @museumrembrandthuis . By making use of vistas, as Van Hoogstraten did, we transformed the museum's small spaces into pleasant rooms with surprising perspectives. Through radiant colors and stately typography, the exhibition takes on a monumental and modern feel. "In this exhibition you will get to know Samuel van Hoogstraten, discover the art of illusion and get to try it out yourself: see past the trickery and create your own optical illusion." ⚫⚫⚫⚫ – Trouw Client: @museumrembrandthuis Spatial & graphic design: @studio.mayrasam Production: @joukeschouten , Riwi Collotype, Studio Warmerdam Photography: @mikebinkfotografie

For textile designer Edith van Berkel, Mayra & Sam designed and produced a portfolio website. It turned out to be an endless archive surrounded by ever-changing color gradients. Edith wanted a website that felt like a continuous flow of her work and process image. Mayra & Sam designed a structure that seems to go on endlessly both vertically and horizontally. We opted for a spatial layout for the photos and videos. The soft and subtle color gradients, inspired by the woven carpets Edith designs, change color with every visit. Design: @studio.mayrasam Project management & production: @studio.mayrasam Development: @studiodivv Typeface Moderat by @tightype .

We love designing websites! Last year we developed a website for Joods Gemeentegebouw Haarlem: a new cultural institution in the city centre hosting exhibitions and talks about the history of Jewish Haarlem. Mayra & Sam also designed the visual identity and logo. The visual characteristics of the Hebrew script were the main inspiration for the visual identity. This systemic interplay of lines is also reflected in the design of the website. Webdesign: @studio.mayrasam Webdevelopment: @studiodivv Font: Mori, @pangram.pangram

Mayra & Sam created the visual identity for the campaign of the new cultural institution 'In de Elleboog'. This is a new and impressive exhibition space in the former Elleboogkerk (a church in Amersfoort, The Netherlands). It offers space for impactful installations from international contemporary artist hosted by various museums in Amersfoort. For each campaign a photo of the current installation is combined with the modern and statuesque typography, inspired by the architecture of the church. Together with the colorful animated spheres, this is a fixed and recognizable identity for this new cultural institution. Design: @studio.mayrasam Animation: @_daanalberts Typefaces: Gestura, @sociotype.foundry