Franziska Zuber & Thomas Salzmann

Wallpaper maker

©Lakeside Photography

©Zuber Salzmann

A digital revolution in wallpaper making

Franziska and Thomas make wallpapers with block printing
Their work is done using digital technology in parallel to the traditional woodblock
Sketching, woodcarving, paper printing and finishing all come into play in their craft

Trained as a design teacher, Franziska Zuber met painter Thomas Salzmann in the mid-2010s and together they developed their wallpaper making venture. "Thomas has a technical background in imitation painting of stone and wooden surfaces which helped us to get started," says Franziska. They developed digitised woodblock prints to produce wallpaper designs, and their first designs were released in 2017. "Although digital has the advantage of making it easier to correct mistakes, designing with digital tools requires the same creative knowledge as in the analogue work process," says Thomas. The duo pride themselves on developing digital techniques to improve productivity in the manufacturing of wallpaper sheets, but their designs and paper craftsmanship remain anchored in a traditional approach.

Interview

©Rahel Zuber

©Zuber Salzmann

How did you start working on this project?: Thomas: We started when Franziska was in the final year of her degree in design education. She wanted to design wallpaper and I was able to help with my expertise. From this, the idea was formed to start working on wallpaper printing using the block printing method.
How does your work explore innovative techniques?: Both: You could say that we are not nostalgic when it comes to craftsmanship. Our aim has always been to create a product using traditional technology and the latest innovative materials. Furthermore, we do not see the digital possibilities as a departure from craftsmanship. For us, it is an extension of our craft skills.
What does 'well made' mean to you?: Both: For us, perfection is not an obsession, because you cannot achieve perfection with woodblock printing. Perfection was never our aim. For us, well made is when the design process goes from vision to reality.
What is a special moment in your work?: Franziska: The first wallpapers we produced for clients were special, and every one since then. Our workshop is small and can only ever see separate parts of the wallpaper, so it all becomes visible when an entire wall has been pasted, which is a great experience every time.

Franziska Zuber & Thomas Salzmann are rising stars: they began their career in 2017