No Circling Back

It is with the deepest of sadness that I have to announce that Another has returned from “we” to “I.” Early this morning, my dear friend, mentor and creative soulmate Joachim passed away.

Joachim started Another in 2007 as his personal creative outlet, in the midst of the blogosphere. I joined him as an intern in 2012 and basically always stayed by his side in different capacities. Learning about “creative” work. And learning that you are never too old to learn, because, as he used to say, he “didn’t know anything himself, either.”

He imprinted in me the belief that creativity is about making choices based on finding your own take on beauty, wherever you are. And that being distinctive comes from personal taste, rather than giving in to what is expected or what others might think.

Through this shared fundamental belief, I felt in my gut that I had found my natural place next to him: as a second pair of brains and eyes, the conceptual thinker and the words to his elegant graphics and photographic captions. Over the years, this resulted in client work, in-house work and numerous side projects that we co-created. And eventually in our shared brand consultancy, which we started at the end of 2024.

I can’t imagine a (creative) life without him. But here it is anyway. All I can try to do now is keep up the pace Joachim taught me (or lovingly forced my doubtful self into). To keep chasing beauty and interesting ideas wherever I am. To keep carrying the Another flag.

As he will surely be planting a new Another project wherever he is now: beginning a new side project, rushing toward new loving encounters and making the world around him a little more beautiful.

I will miss him for the rest of my life.

Christoph