PRESENT is a print magazine, support system, and global community of Modern Makers.
PRESENT is a print magazine, support system, and global community of Modern Makers.
The goal is to inspire starting by producing stories around the world on making, discipline and self-care, through the lens of the most courageous creators of today and tomorrow.
The goal is to inspire starting by producing stories around the world on making, discipline and self-care, through the lens of the most courageous creators of today and tomorrow.
Food and Purpose
Food and Purpose
TRANG TA
In 2022, Thu Thuy Pham and Phuong Thao Westphal, two friends of Vietnamese-German backgrounds, opened the doors to their Berlin diner DASHI. Within a short time, the diner has established itself as a popular destination for Berlin foodies and has now grown a reputation that goes far beyond the German capital.
In 2022, Thu Thuy Pham and Phuong Thao Westphal, two friends of Vietnamese-German backgrounds, opened the doors to their Berlin diner DASHI. Within a short time, the diner has established itself as a popular destination for Berlin foodies and has now grown a reputation that goes far beyond the German capital.
Tiempo de Zafra
Tiempo de Zafra
Sophia Valera Heinecke
The holistic beauty of the beaches, like the life of most artists, like the environment of Santo Domingo, is a patchwork crafted with intention – the intention to survive and the intention to realize what was once just a dream.
The holistic beauty of the beaches, like the life of most artists, like the environment of Santo Domingo, is a patchwork crafted with intention – the intention to survive and the intention to realize what was once just a dream.
Seize The Day Like A Stoic
Seize The Day Like A Stoic
Ryan Holiday
You’re alive right now. In front of you sits just a handful of hours before the day is through. What tomorrow has in store, you cannot know. Piles of problems could be dumped on you. A surprise call from the doctor could change everything. You could wake up with the flu and spend the next week in bed. You could not wake up at all.
You’re alive right now. In front of you sits just a handful of hours before the day is through. What tomorrow has in store, you cannot know. Piles of problems could be dumped on you. A surprise call from the doctor could change everything. You could wake up with the flu and spend the next week in bed. You could not wake up at all.
Making Friends with our Fears
Making Friends with our Fears
Anne-Laure Le Cunff
When we grow up, we are told to be strong: to fight our fears, our nightmares, our doubts: to be confident and ambitious. The admonition we receive is not without consequences. As adults, fear becomes a personal burden not to be shared with others, lest it starts spreading.
When we grow up, we are told to be strong: to fight our fears, our nightmares, our doubts: to be confident and ambitious. The admonition we receive is not without consequences. As adults, fear becomes a personal burden not to be shared with others, lest it starts spreading.
Learning from Lina
Learning from Lina
Pia Brückner
After four years of studying architecture I had the great opportunity to spend a year in Berlin, I had the great opportunity to spend a year in São Paulo in 2018—time that became very intense and had a lasting effect on my attitude towards architecture.
After four years of studying architecture I had the great opportunity to spend a year in Berlin, I had the great opportunity to spend a year in São Paulo in 2018—time that became very intense and had a lasting effect on my attitude towards architecture.
Know Thyself
Know Thyself
Dennis Freischlad
We speak in abstractions and symbols, and we speak in vain. Each word marks the very loss of what is meant to be said, each wanting-to-speak is altering the ever-name-less into a world of language and form.
We speak in abstractions and symbols, and we speak in vain. Each word marks the very loss of what is meant to be said, each wanting-to-speak is altering the ever-name-less into a world of language and form.
Samma Samādhi
Samma Samādhi
Frank Berzbach
Samma Samādhi means the “right collection”, the ability to concentrate, which is the main engine for a creative life. But our thoughts are constantly wandering. Why? An essay on creativity, concentration and meditation. There is only one moment in the creative process when our thoughts should digress in a cultivated way: in the “incubation phase.” This is the first phase after we have received an assignment and are still have a distance from the problem. Under time pressure, this is not easy at all: not yet looking for concrete solutions to the problem, while sending the mind on its way.
Samma Samādhi means the “right collection”, the ability to concentrate, which is the main engine for a creative life. But our thoughts are constantly wandering. Why? An essay on creativity, concentration and meditation. There is only one moment in the creative process when our thoughts should digress in a cultivated way: in the “incubation phase.” This is the first phase after we have received an assignment and are still have a distance from the problem. Under time pressure, this is not easy at all: not yet looking for concrete solutions to the problem, while sending the mind on its way.
Food and Purpose
Food and Purpose
Food and Purpose
TRANG TA
In 2022, Thu Thuy Pham and Phuong Thao Westphal, two friends of Vietnamese-German backgrounds, opened the doors to their Berlin diner DASHI. Within a short time, the diner has established itself as a popular destination for Berlin foodies and has now grown a reputation that goes far beyond the German capital.
In 2022, Thu Thuy Pham and Phuong Thao Westphal, two friends of Vietnamese-German backgrounds, opened the doors to their Berlin diner DASHI. Within a short time, the diner has established itself as a popular destination for Berlin foodies and has now grown a reputation that goes far beyond the German capital.
Tiempo de Zafra
Tiempo de Zafra
Tiempo de Zafra
Sophia Valera Heinecke
The holistic beauty of the beaches, like the life of most artists, like the environment of Santo Domingo, is a patchwork crafted with intention – the intention to survive and the intention to realize what was once just a dream.
The holistic beauty of the beaches, like the life of most artists, like the environment of Santo Domingo, is a patchwork crafted with intention – the intention to survive and the intention to realize what was once just a dream.
Seize The Day Like A Stoic
Seize The Day Like A Stoic
Seize The Day Like A Stoic
Ryan Holiday
You’re alive right now. In front of you sits just a handful of hours before the day is through. What tomorrow has in store, you cannot know. Piles of problems could be dumped on you. A surprise call from the doctor could change everything. You could wake up with the flu and spend the next week in bed. You could not wake up at all.
You’re alive right now. In front of you sits just a handful of hours before the day is through. What tomorrow has in store, you cannot know. Piles of problems could be dumped on you. A surprise call from the doctor could change everything. You could wake up with the flu and spend the next week in bed. You could not wake up at all.
Making Friends with our Fears
Making Friends with our Fears
Making Friends with our Fears
Anne-Laure Le Cunff
When we grow up, we are told to be strong: to fight our fears, our nightmares, our doubts: to be confident and ambitious. The admonition we receive is not without consequences. As adults, fear becomes a personal burden not to be shared with others, lest it starts spreading.
When we grow up, we are told to be strong: to fight our fears, our nightmares, our doubts: to be confident and ambitious. The admonition we receive is not without consequences. As adults, fear becomes a personal burden not to be shared with others, lest it starts spreading.
Learning from Lina
Learning from Lina
Learning from Lina
Pia Brückner
After four years of studying architecture I had the great opportunity to spend a year in Berlin, I had the great opportunity to spend a year in São Paulo in 2018—time that became very intense and had a lasting effect on my attitude towards architecture.
After four years of studying architecture I had the great opportunity to spend a year in Berlin, I had the great opportunity to spend a year in São Paulo in 2018—time that became very intense and had a lasting effect on my attitude towards architecture.
Know Thyself
Know Thyself
Know Thyself
Dennis Freischlad
We speak in abstractions and symbols, and we speak in vain. Each word marks the very loss of what is meant to be said, each wanting-to-speak is altering the ever-name-less into a world of language and form.
We speak in abstractions and symbols, and we speak in vain. Each word marks the very loss of what is meant to be said, each wanting-to-speak is altering the ever-name-less into a world of language and form.
Samma Samādhi
Samma Samādhi
Samma Samādhi
Frank Berzbach
Samma Samādhi means the “right collection”, the ability to concentrate, which is the main engine for a creative life. But our thoughts are constantly wandering. Why? An essay on creativity, concentration and meditation. There is only one moment in the creative process when our thoughts should digress in a cultivated way: in the “incubation phase.” This is the first phase after we have received an assignment and are still have a distance from the problem. Under time pressure, this is not easy at all: not yet looking for concrete solutions to the problem, while sending the mind on its way.
Samma Samādhi means the “right collection”, the ability to concentrate, which is the main engine for a creative life. But our thoughts are constantly wandering. Why? An essay on creativity, concentration and meditation. There is only one moment in the creative process when our thoughts should digress in a cultivated way: in the “incubation phase.” This is the first phase after we have received an assignment and are still have a distance from the problem. Under time pressure, this is not easy at all: not yet looking for concrete solutions to the problem, while sending the mind on its way.
Making in Movies
Making in Movies
Making in Movies
Jascha Hannover
Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek) is broken. Her body has been shattered in a bus accident, a metal rod has pierced her pelvis, and the doctors have barely succeeded in saving her life. She has been bed-bound for weeks, trapped in a full body cast with very little movement...
Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek) is broken. Her body has been shattered in a bus accident, a metal rod has pierced her pelvis, and the doctors have barely succeeded in saving her life. She has been bed-bound for weeks, trapped in a full body cast with very little movement...
Enchanted Embodiment
Enchanted Embodiment
Enchanted Embodiment
Ben Roth
Despite the many theories about the nature of reality, what I experience as most real, is being a creature with a body. Being Here means arriving in this animal body, acknowledging my corporeality fully, feeling it as deeply as I can. Being Now means participating in this continuous process of life as it unfolds within, and all around; witnessing it in all aspects and subtleties as it takes form in the endless moment of Right Now.
Despite the many theories about the nature of reality, what I experience as most real, is being a creature with a body. Being Here means arriving in this animal body, acknowledging my corporeality fully, feeling it as deeply as I can. Being Now means participating in this continuous process of life as it unfolds within, and all around; witnessing it in all aspects and subtleties as it takes form in the endless moment of Right Now.
Running Through Isolation
Running Through Isolation
Running Through Isolation
Intisar Abdul-Kader
Intisar Abdul-Kader is a mental health professional, a daughter, a colleague. She is also a Muslim, Black, Hijab-wearing runner and, by that simple fact, is helping to shape space for others like herself within the sport. Here, she describes the shift in the role running has played for her since the pandemic restrictions began: bringing her into a deeper awareness of ‘now’ and self that she didn’t have before.
Intisar Abdul-Kader is a mental health professional, a daughter, a colleague. She is also a Muslim, Black, Hijab-wearing runner and, by that simple fact, is helping to shape space for others like herself within the sport. Here, she describes the shift in the role running has played for her since the pandemic restrictions began: bringing her into a deeper awareness of ‘now’ and self that she didn’t have before.
No Such Thing As A Fresh Start
No Such Thing As A Fresh Start
No Such Thing As A Fresh Start
Oliver Burkeman
The big lure of all such moments — as you’ll know if you have a similar weakness for time management systems, decluttering initiatives and suchlike — is the promise of making a fresh start.
The big lure of all such moments — as you’ll know if you have a similar weakness for time management systems, decluttering initiatives and suchlike — is the promise of making a fresh start.
The Analogue Comeback
The Analogue Comeback
The Analogue Comeback
Frank Berzbach
Ever since the introduction of the personal computer into our homes during the 80s, digitization has become more and more integrated into our daily lives: telephone booths, alarm clocks, wristwatches and calendars have been replaced by smartphones; vcrs, tape recorders and turntables have made way for streaming services; typewriters...
Ever since the introduction of the personal computer into our homes during the 80s, digitization has become more and more integrated into our daily lives: telephone booths, alarm clocks, wristwatches and calendars have been replaced by smartphones; vcrs, tape recorders and turntables have made way for streaming services; typewriters...
It’s about the bliss and the struggles of creating in today’s world and how to build better, together.
It’s about trying and failing and beginning again.
It’s all about having the courage to just get started.
It’s about the bliss and the struggles of creating in today’s world and how to build better, together.
It’s about trying and failing and beginning again.
It’s all about having the courage to just get started.
PRESENT is a project about creating and self-reflection where we speak with makers about their path and philosophies. It’s a space for honest conversations about discipline, fear, process and confidence.
PRESENT is a project about creating and self-reflection where we speak with makers about their path and philosophies. It’s a space for honest conversations about discipline, fear, process and confidence.


















