Zgraf 50 / Zgraf 13
Book launch on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Oris House of Architecture, Zagreb
The “Zgraf 50” monographic edition, which includes the “Zgraf 13” catalogue, is a special ULUPUH publication marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of Zgraf and its inaugural graphic design exhibition in Zagreb, “ZGRAF ’75”. Organized by ULUPUH at the initiative of prominent members of its Graphic Designers Section, the event saw these members receive special commendations during last year’s opening ceremony.
Designed by the renowned design studio Kuna Zlatica, the book features a dual-sided format. While one side is dedicated to documents, the founders and participants of the first Zgraf, and data and photographs recounting the history of the thirteen Zgraf events held to date, the other side contains an extensive catalogue of the most recent event, “Zgraf 13”. Successfully held in Zagreb in June 2025, “Zgraf 13” featured a rich programme across multiple locations, produced by Lab 852. The main exhibition showcased 186 selected works by international and domestic designers and was staged at the Student Centre’s French Pavilion, featuring a compelling layout by architect Igor Presečan. The digital “Zgraf 13” catalogue, as well as a photo gallery covering all events, is available at the following link: https://zgraf.hr/zgraf-13.
This 195 × 235 mm edition—printed on various paper stocks, featuring coloured edges and a reversible book jacket—spans 368 pages and chronicles the rich history of Zgraf. It also permanently preserves rare documents from the personal archive of the founder, Mr Alfred Pal, made available to ULUPUH through the kindness of his family.
- The introduction is dedicated to the late giants of Croatian design, Alfred Pal and Ivan Picelj, both of whom contributed—each in their own way—to the stature of Zgraf. The story behind the exhibition’s conception and founding, their personal roles, and the broader significance of Zgraf for our design community is recounted by surviving participants of the inaugural 1975 Zgraf, alongside three recipients of the special “Zgraf 50 Honor” award—Boris Ljubičić, Mirko Ilić, and Slovenian designer Edvard Čehovin—in conversation with the renowned art historian, journalist, and Zgraf expert Branka Hlevnjak.
- A vision for the future of Zgraf is presented by three distinguished experts—designer and design professor Izvorka Jurić; Ivan Dorotić, photographer and head of the visual arts digital magazine “Vizkultura”; and art historian and design curator Bojan Dmitrović Krištofić. They highlight potential challenges posed by emerging technologies as well as future development paths, with the aim of ensuring that Zgraf remains a relevant cultural event both nationally and internationally. The editors of this monograph are Dr Sanja Rocco and Dr Ivana Bakal.
The Zgraf event is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia and the City of Zagreb (through its Office for Culture and Civil Society), as well as by numerous partners and media sponsors.
This special monograph edition stands as a valuable and enduring record—not only of the history of an international design event but also of the significance of prominent local graphic designers, individual practitioners, and design studios who have always stood shoulder to shoulder with the best on the global stage.
This monograph offers more than just a look at Zgraf’s rich past; it preserves the memory of fifty years of dedicated work, international collaboration, and the creative energy of the many generations that have shaped its identity. At the same time, it looks towards the future, inviting new creators to continue developing Zgraf as a space for encounters, the exchange of ideas, and professional excellence.