"Design has an important function: it has to explain complex connections in a simple way ­ that means in such a way that they are also understood in other cultures and markets."

Jean Jacques Schaffner, born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1954, studied graphic design at the early age of 15 at Basel arts school with Adrian Frutiger, among others. Further training as a photographer and as a music film director with Leo Nadelmann, as well as his attending of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and study stays in Oxford and San Francisco reflect Schaffner's great variety of skills and interests. In 1976, together with his partner Silvana Conzelmann he founded the Designersfactory in Basel, which includes a photo studio and a department for interactive media and Internet applications, thus offering the complete range of visual communication services. Since 1987, Schaffner has run trainings in graphic design, CAD, typography and packaging design and has held lectures all around the world. He was president of the Pan-European Brand Design Association (PDA) from 2000 to 2003, and he is also a member of many design juries.