Interior Scholarship | Blog 02/2017 | Annika Rautter

As reported in my previous blog entry, I visited the imm Cologne international interiors show in January. In a total of 11 halls, one could marvel at items of furniture as well as anything and everything to do with the home. This year, the "living kitchen" trade fair took place alongside imm. Here, I was particularly impressed by projects put forward by offices and designers from Scandinavia. The Nordic style is characterised by designs that are straightforward and plain, yet ingenious at the same time. There were also several exciting products and pieces of furniture from Italy.

Several universities and craftsmen's schools also presented projects here. I was particularly impressed by the University of Rosenheim, which presented its interior design programme of study. The stand was based on a pop-up card. Behind the letters, visitors could enjoy several other designs based on the theme of "brand showcasing", with "brand" referring to the degree programme. There were also several screens providing information on the course of study.

A stand that caught my eye with its striking appearance was that of the company "tapeten.de". It showcased an old steel scaffold decorated with leaves made from cloth and wallpaper. This design succeeded in generating its own unique, exciting aura.

Overall, the trade fair was a thoroughly enjoyable and inspirational experience for me. If I find the time again next year, I'll definitely be coming back.

About Annika Rautter

A long time before she got her secondary school diploma, Annika Rautter was thinking about getting an interior design or architecture degree. When she graduated, however, she decided to first take a year off in order to get to know the other half of the planet – and herself. She managed to do both during her travels to Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands: She did not just discover the beauty of foreign countries but also learned a lot about herself during this formative time – about her personality and her plans for the future. Her vague plans on what to study become a firm decision, which is why she organised a suitable apprenticeship as well as a drawing class back home while travelling. Both were supposed to help her get accepted in an interior design or architecture program.

Following her application to five different universities and technical colleges, Annika Rautter chose the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. One factor for her decision was that she was impressed by the presentation of the course of study during the academy's annual exhibit back in 2012. Another key to her decision was that the school only accepts a small number of students (15-20 persons), which ensures the personal support from professors and their assistants. The different majors – product and room design as well as design in free spaces – convinced Annika Rautter because they would allow her to try out different specialities before having to pick an area of concentration following her bachelor degree. She still does not have a favourite and, instead, is looking forward to different projects and focus areas.