PRESENT Newsletter #7
Hello Friend!
Welcome to the 7th edition of the Present Newsletter.
The last months have been a pretty wild ride, to say the least. I've rarely worked on bigger client projects in my life, while putting my last drops of energy and time into bringing my favorite unrealized project to life: PRESENT Issue 2! It’s been pretty challenging and crazy intense, but ultimately rewarding — I have learned more than ever.
I couldn’t have done this without a very special woman and partner by my side: Sarah Discours. Much more than just a skillful art director and designer she filled this project with passion, incredible ideas and love. I feel really proud how we've managed to pull all this off together. And I’m proud that our relationship not only survived this phase, but strengthened from it <3
PRESENT Issue 2 can be ordered directly from our store or at one of our stockists on five continents.
One thing that helped throughout tough phases: Zooming out and checking-in with the big picture. I know it sounds cliché but realising that everything stressing you out today will be over and forgotten, or can smiled be at in a few weeks provides a huge relief. This too shall pass.
In August we took a small break and went on a roadtrip through France. I realised that if someone were to ask me what my favorite place on earth is: the beaches and pine forrests along the Atlantic coast. While I was running there in the early morning sun I found myself screaming in joy ... I just felt so fucking thankful to be alive and kicking!
I try to remind myself everyday how lucky I am to be able to do the things I want to do and for having so many supportive and loving people in my life. I'm forever grateful.
But now, without further ado, here comes a quick overview on the things I worked on since we last talked, plus some recommendations. Let's go!
APPLE
I was hired by Apple to work on with different projects, the main one being iPhone 13 Pro, where I supported with campaign and hardware art direction and wallpaper research and design.
I couldn't feel more grateful to the team at for giving me the opportunity to be part of dream projects.
The people I had the chance to work with were absolutely incredible. I will never forget this. Big thanks to everyone involved.🤍
Since back in the 90s, when I grew up, my mother has always been a full-on Apple fan and this definitely left a mark on me until today. I think she would be proud :)
(More details at apple.com/iphone-13-pro and the presentation)
MUGLER
I designed and developed the new website for Paris-based fashion brand MUGLER. Alongside it I created the invitations, look books and film credits for the last three shows.
You have to check out the latest film for Mugler FW 2021 ✨
I feel really blessed to work for clients whose work I admire so much. This is a real pleasure. Very special thanks to Nam Nguyen, Casey Cadwallader, Aydha & Bertrand.
AROMA PITCH
I created artworks for the EP and upcoming album debut for my friends from Aroma Pitch, published by the Public Possession fam. For their brilliant live show at HÖR I designed and screenprinted a limited AP x PRESENT uniform. Wavey!
Moving on with some input for blissful autumn days and beyond: 🍂
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals is a New York Times bestseller by PRESENT contributor Oliver Burkeman.
“The average human life span is absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short.”
I couldn't lay this one down — and it still took me a while to finish because I had to highlight a ridiculous amount of passages. There is an astonishing amount of truth and hard earned wisdom in there.
This is what I love about all of Oliver's writing: He examines the whole space and spectrum of self-help, psychology, philosophy with such wit and never takes himself too seriously, in the best way possible.
Also check-out Oliver's newsletter: The Imperfectionist
The Secret of the Grain (orig. La graine et le mulet/Couscous) is a 2007 movie directed by Abdellatif Kechiche.
When Slimane Beiji, divorced, in his sixties, is fired after working for years on a shipping wharf, he acts on his wish to open a portside restaurant with the help of his partners daughter. Abdellatif Kechiche’s stirring drama deals with the daily joys and struggles of a bustling French-Arab family in Southern France.
This movie got me into all emotions. It was dramatic, funny, frustrating, thrilling ... and all actors were absolutely fantastic. It's availabe on MUBI.
Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins.
For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare - poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes.
Whenever I catch my mind wanting to quit a challening task out of discomfort, I default to "What would Goggins do?" – Just thinking about this man motivates me everytime I hit a roadblock. I loved this book. Fascinating stories of integrity, courage, no-bullshit, pure motivation.
The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking by Saifedean Ammous.
The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications.
An utterly fascinating read and great start if you aim to understand where money is coming from and where it is going, and what crypto is really all about.
I’ve never been much into economics, but ever since I went down the rabbit hole I really enjoy learning about the history and meaning of money, which brings about a different kind of understanding about humanity and the world we live in. We are still early.
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson.
“Specialisation is for insects. I don't believe in this model of trying to focus your life down to one thing. You've got one life: just do everything you want.”
Naval Ravikant is an entrepreneur, philosopher, and investor who has captivated the world with his principles for building wealth and creating long-term happiness. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is a collection of Naval’s wisdom and experience from the last ten years, shared as a curation of his most insightful interviews and poignant reflections. This isn’t a how-to book, or a step-by-step gimmick. Instead, through his own words, you learn how to walk your own unique path toward a happier, wealthier life.
Minari is a 2020 movie written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung.
A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
If you happen to haven’t seen this one yet! I loved this movie so much. My highlight was indeed Youn Yuh-jung, who played the grandmother. Check out her Oscar acceptance speech, which I thought was amazing.
“The punchline of life really is:
You can’t become happy,
you can only be happy.”
These days I'm trying to take things a bit slower. More reflection on how and why I do the things I do and where to go next. What I do know: Building things and making PRESENT, having all of you in mind, gives me energy and hope. And I can't wait to show you what we have cooking for the future...👀
Talk to you soon!
Stay healthy and stay present,
Hugo