Krimek is a German manufacturing brand whose logo was created in 1987 by graphic designer Hans Karl Rodenkirchen. Rodenkirchen, who worked under the moniker HAKARO, was active for over 40 years designing logos, symbols, lettering and products for the Solingen cutlery industry in Germany.[1]
Design and History
Hans Karl Rodenkirchen (1926-2007) was a German graphic designer, artist and environmental activist based in Solingen.[2] He received commissions from the Solingen cutlery industry for company marks (logos), cutlery designs, glassware and church implements.[2] The Krimek mark dates from 1987, placing it within Rodenkirchen’s mature period of practice.
Rodenkirchen was known for his ability to transform complex content into reduced, concise graphic forms, and he developed systems and methods as a master of reduction and abstraction.[1] A 260-page monograph on his work, published by the labor visuell research project, focuses on his logos, symbols, signs and typography, including previously unpublished graphic works.[1]
Meaning and Symbolism
No official documentation has been located that describes the specific symbolic meaning, color palette or construction details of the Krimek mark itself. Rodenkirchen’s broader design philosophy emphasized reduction and abstraction, and his client work for the Solingen cutlery industry typically involved translating corporate identity into clean graphic form.[1]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
