Hello Image: The Staging of Things

【Book Description】

Hello Image: The Staging of Things, published by Hirmer, is a richly illustrated visual design volume that delves into how product and advertising photography over the past century has shaped our perception and emotional connection to everyday objects. Curated by renowned photographer Hans Hansen, the book brings together a compelling selection of images to trace how designers, photographers, artists, and brands have collaborated—from the early 20th century to the present—to transform ordinary things into symbolic, emotionally resonant icons through photographic techniques and visual staging.

Focusing on the "theatricalization" of product imagery, the book unpacks how visual narratives in craft, fashion, packaging, and commercial advertising influence our emotional responses and value judgments. Through both historical and contemporary case studies—featuring collaborations by Otl Aicher, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Ettore Sottsass, Charles & Ray Eames, Issey Miyake, and Martin Margiela—Hello Image offers a layered dialogue between the histories of design and photography. These examples highlight the evolving language of visual culture and reaffirm photography’s role as an essential extension of design thinking.

Beyond artistic and technical analysis, the book also investigates the political and cultural frameworks embedded within images. It explores how visual representations are used to communicate ideology, construct brand narratives, and are reproduced, shared, and manipulated in today’s digital ecosystems. Whether through carefully composed still lifes or immersive digital presentations, Hello Image illuminates the dynamic, complex relationship between images and the material world.

【Publication Details】

Authors: Tulga Beyerle, Viktoria Heinrich, Esther Ruelfs
Publisher: Hirmer
Year: 2025
Dimensions: 33 × 24 cm
Format: Softcover
Pages: 248 pages