For your club
A small edition featuring art and your club’s mark. Tell us the occasion and roughly how many people it’s for.
Ask about a club edition ↗Berlin · Art × club culture × everyday life
Art for
your pocket.
A place for
your cigarette ends.
We’re developing small pocket ashtrays with art from Berlin. For club nights, celebrations and the way home. The designs are here – next comes testing materials, printing and everyday use.
Talk about a club edition ↗Explore the designs ↓Metal concept · smooth surfaceBerlin / Pilot 01
Original artwork: © Coline Hercouët
AI product visualisation · Club logo: Sisyphos · Collaboration proposal
AI product visualisation · Club logo: Sisyphos · Collaboration proposal
Still a concept. Let’s talk about it. The club pairings are proposals. Partnerships, usage agreements and print approvals are still to be agreed.
What do you have in mind?
For your celebration
A wedding, birthday or special night: let’s work out which artwork and quantity fit.
Talk about your event ↗Try it in everyday life
An adult smoker based in Berlin? Help us find out what’s worth carrying and what works day to day.
Join the product test ↗What it’s about
A small habit.
A shared benefit.
01
For the place.
Your cigarette is out, but the nearest ashtray is far away. That’s where taschenbecher comes in: keep the remains with you and dispose of them properly later.
02
For the clubs.
A bit of your favourite club to take along. Its logo on the back, with an edition developed together.
03
For the art.
The artwork comes from artists we know. Their names go on the ashtray. We agree on use and any changes together.
The editions / Proposals
Four places.
Four ways to take something with you.
Four clubs, four initial pairings. We looked at each club’s identity and matched it with work from our artwork pool. These are starting points for a conversation with the artists and clubs. The images show art on the front and the club logo on the back; they are AI visualisations.
Edition 01 / Kottbusser Tor
Paloma
Collaboration proposalView material
The idea behind it
Still awake at night.
One more track, then out onto Kotti. The figure with a hat fits that kind of night for us: a bit odd, direct and hard to miss. A small companion that might get people talking.
Why we see a connection
The figure with a hat shares a similar graphic language: a direct gaze, bold dark shapes and a memorable character. We see a little night-time companion in it. The figure’s precise meaning remains Coline’s to define.
Club culture & research
Paloma’s drawn dove and hand-drawn lettering have personality and strong black-and-white contrast. The club at Kotti pairs this distinctive graphic identity with music, merchandise and its own label.
What the edition could look like
- Show the full figure; preserve the gaze and hat.
- Start by testing black on a light or natural-coloured background.
- Paloma logo on the back; a small artist credit below the art. A card can tell the story.
Black and white on cork require a suitable print process. A black-only, one-colour version would need separate agreement.
To discuss with the clubDoes this character feel like Paloma to you?
Edition 02 / Rummelsburg
Sisyphos
Collaboration proposalView material
The idea behind it
Two meet outside.
A quick break outside, meet someone, move on. That’s what the two flamingos bring to mind. There’s also a connection to the two Sisyphos ducks, without redrawing their logo.
Why we see a connection
Two flamingos face each other: a clear connection to the duck-pair composition, with their own watercolour language and soft pink shapes. The pair tells a story of meeting without copying the club emblem.
Club culture & research
The two ducks are part of Sisyphos’s visual world. Dance, art, performance and the large outdoor area form the cultural setting. The current website features a flag installation in warm tones.
What the edition could look like
- Keep both flamingos together as one scene.
- Preserve the pink watercolour areas and dark details in the preferred colour version.
- The duck logo goes on the back; the front leaves room for the flamingos.
Colour printing preferred. A one-colour version would need its own treatment agreed with Coline.
To discuss with the clubCould this playful kinship with your ducks work as a guest-art proposal?
Edition 03 / Friedrichshain
Renate
Collaboration proposalView material
The idea behind it
In unusual company.
Taking a crustacean for a walk? In Coline’s drawing it looks completely normal. That dry humour feels right for Renate to us: a little theatrical, a little odd, with room for your own story.
Why we see a connection
A person walks a large crustacean on a leash, treating the unusual as perfectly normal. For us, that quiet surreal humour suits a place where people can play with roles, imagination and self-expression.
Club culture & research
Renate’s identity combines narrow lettering, rectangular lines and violet accents. Its 2026 presentation emphasises experimentation, local creatives and a playful, theatrical character, with studios and live programmes making room for art.
What the edition could look like
- Show the person, leash and animal together — that’s where the story is.
- Fit the horizontal scene proportionally and give it enough room.
- Renate’s wordmark on the back; violet accents could appear on the accompanying card.
Colour printing preferred. The fine leash must remain visible at actual print size.
To discuss with the clubDoes this surreal humour capture Renate’s character today?
Edition 04 / Berlin
Heideglühen
Collaboration proposalView material
The idea behind it
Take the groove with you.
The lines repeat, but never quite the same way. They remind us of a good groove. It feels like a natural idea for Heideglühen; we want to ask the club whether they see it that way too.
Why we see a connection
Parallel lines repeat a movement, each slightly different. We read it as visible groove. The contours connect formally with the club’s lettering and bicycle graphic. It remains an abstract artistic interpretation.
Club culture & research
Violet, light outlines and a bicycle drawing shape the current website. The September 2026 preview includes daytime starts and long weekenders; Tagesspiegel’s club profile describes house and disco as musical focal points.
What the edition could look like
- Preserve the closed shape and hand-drawn character.
- Keep black, or agree a violet print with the artist.
- Scale proportionally; check tight lines and overlaps on the proof.
A one-colour candidate with fine lines. Agree the colour and any edits with the artist.
To discuss with the clubDoes recognition come more from colour, lettering or the rhythmic shape for you?
The surface makes a difference
The same art.
Two materials.
On a smooth surface, colours and lines stand on their own. Cork adds its own texture. Here are Coline’s flamingos on both versions, with the same brand and artist credit.
Smooth surface
Metal gives the art space.
The silver concept offers a calm background for fine lines and colours. We’ll check weight, size and everyday carrying with physical samples.
Textured surface
Cork adds texture.
The proposed surface is cork, not a printed cork pattern. This flat pouch is our second direction. We’ll check its material construction and finish on a physical sample.
Open risk: will cork stand up to everyday use?
The critical question from the feedback: will the cork crumble, peel at the folds or wear away? This has not been validated. We’ll inspect the construction, edges, seams, fastening and print on real samples and test everyday carrying. The visualisations show the design only; they do not prove durability.
Our plan for the first test ↓Samples first. Then 50 pieces.
The plan: 10–15 adult testers from our Berlin circle. Each person tries cork and metal for seven days each – 14 days in total. The start depends on when the samples arrive.
- 01
Check samples and printing
Source comparable models and manufacturer instructions. Agree on artwork, credits, print areas, costs and rights.
- 02
Compare over 14 days
Some testers start with cork, others with metal. Switch after seven days. Record carrying, use, handling and defects separately.
- 03
Review and choose
What actually came along? What got in the way? Compare photos and feedback. Stop using defective samples; a short trial cannot prove long-term durability.
- 04
Prepare the planned 50 pieces
Set the small batch after choosing the material, receiving a quote and obtaining approvals. Artwork allocation and ordering remain open until then. Any event quantity is agreed separately.
A new question for the pilot
Cork or metal — which one actually comes along?
Feedback from someone we know: with another cork pouch, the cigarette had to be completely extinguished before insertion, so the user switched to metal. This is a clue for our test; the handling of our specific model still needs checking.
We’ll compare a flat cork pouch with a metal pocket ashtray that is as compact as possible. The same adult testers will try both in alternating order. We’ll ask about actual carrying, extinguishing, space, weight, smell, emptying and willingness to pay. For cork we’ll also document edge wear, folds, seams and print adhesion before and after use. Whether metal works as a premium option remains open.
Before use: For each sample, check the manufacturer’s instructions and whether it is suitable for extinguishing cigarettes or holding embers. An aluminium lining alone does not establish this. Until confirmed, put in only fully extinguished, cooled remains. The pilot does not test ember resistance.
OPEN · VALIDATE WITH SAMPLES AND IN THE MARKET
Test first. Choose the material afterwards.
Our hypothesis: The cork pouch stays intact with regular carrying and people like using it. We don’t yet know whether that is true or whether people prefer it to metal.
- Before the start: Confirm samples and material construction with the supplier. Photograph the surface, edges, folds, seams, fastening and print to record the starting condition.
- In everyday life: 10–15 adult testers try cork and metal for seven days each, in alternating order. They note carrying, use, smell, emptying and all visible changes. After each week, we compare the samples with their starting photos.
- In the market: After actual use, we ask openly: which would you keep carrying? What bothers you? Would you buy it, and at what price? We also seek club feedback. A friends’ test gives initial clues; demand beyond our own circle needs separate validation.
Decision after testing: Crumbling, peeling, open seams, leakage or unreliable fastening count against that version. We would then investigate a different construction or metal before settling on a production run. No visible damage after one week is an early signal, not proof of long-term durability.
We’ll record results through photos, usage notes and reasons for choosing a material. Any defective sample will be taken out of use.
Our most important signal: actual use. Liking the product, willingness to buy and cigarette ends kept off the ground are different questions that we consider separately.
The people behind the artwork
The people behind the art.
Coline, Chloe and Juliette. These are their confirmed works and the stories they’ve shared with us.
Coline Hercouët · Photo supplied by the artist for her profile
Ink, paper, movement · Berlin
Coline Hercouët
Coline Hercouët is a French artist based in Berlin. Drawing from both Asian influences and her Breton roots, she explores imaginary landscapes through ink, where nature, movement and gesture come together.
Her monochromatic and minimalist works move between reality and fiction, leaving room for interpretation.
Inside the artbook
- Kranichtanz · 2024 · Chinese ink on tea paper
- Tree of Life · 2025 · Chinese ink on mulberry paper
- Dance of Freedom on the Wall · 2025 · Acrylic spray paint on flyers
Previously shown
- 2021 · Night market, Carnac
- 2022 · La galerie éphémère, Carnac
- 2025 · Exhibition at Giri Berlin
c. · Chloe
Painting & DJing · Berlin
Chloe
Originally from China, Chloe now lives in Berlin. After leaving a white-collar job, she moved here to make room for a fresh start. Today she combines her studies with painting and DJing.
Over the past two years, she has shared her paintings at events and played occasional DJ sets at venues around the city. Art and music are ways to connect with people and explore where she wants to go next.
“I moved here to reimagine my life and explore new possibilities.”
From Chloe’s personal introduction
The dumpling/gyoza artwork is also by Chloe. Here is her original drawing and the concept for a Renate edition.
Juliette Joly
With camera and pencil
Photography & drawing
Juliette Joly
Juliette has always been passionate about the visual arts; she started drawing when she was little and gradually turned to photography.
Today, photography is her primary medium, but she still enjoys returning to her pencils. She draws inspiration from the fleeting nature of everyday life.
These profiles draw on the artists’ personal introductions and Coline’s artbook. Coline’s bio and profile photo were supplied through Eren on 7 October, and Juliette’s bio on 11 October. Updated 11 October 2026.
Let’s make it concrete.
A club, a celebration or an interest in testing? A few lines are enough to start. We’ll get back to you and work out the next step together.
Want to bring your art to the project? ↗From a first chat to an edition
We discuss the occasion and quantity, agree on artwork, artist payment and usage rights, and check a physical sample. A specific quote and your approval come next. Pricing and delivery dates depend on the supplier’s confirmed offer.
New idea · Weddings & special occasions
An edition for your celebration.
Your own artwork, a date, a reminder of a good night. We are also exploring taschenbecher as a small favour for guests who smoke, at weddings and other celebrations.
Wedding
An artwork that feels like you. A shared story, a small drawing or your initials. Art on the front; names and a date on the back if you like.
Birthday & anniversary
A small run for your friends. An artwork made for the occasion that people will still enjoy carrying afterwards.
Art night & special event
An edition for an exhibition, a collective or a special party. Created with the artist, whose credit stays visible.
Personal, with room for the art.
The front keeps the small taschenbecher symbol, the artwork and the artist’s name. The back can carry the occasion. Cork or metal, print space and colours are decisions to check on a sample.
One celebration to start with.
We would begin with one event. Quantity depends on actual need and the supplier’s confirmed minimum order. Materials, printing and delivery need to be checked first. Cork durability remains an open test question.
How a first event edition could take shape
Get to know the event
Discuss the date, style, number of guests who smoke and budget. Start with one shared artwork for the whole run.
Create it together
Agree on the artwork and its use with the artist. Confirm print area, quotation and delivery date with the supplier, then check a sample.
Try it at the celebration
Offer the ashtrays in the smoking area with a short explanation. Afterwards, ask: Was it used, taken home and used again?
This is a new concept. Prices, minimum quantities and lead times are not yet confirmed.
Tell us about your event ↗Explore all alternative designs
The full artwork pool
Different images.
New stories.
Here are the other drawings from the project. Together with the four editions above, they include all ten of Coline’s motifs and the four individual drawings. The club pairings are suggestions. The artists speak for the original meaning of their work.
10 alternatives
Alternative for Paloma
A glance stays with you.
A brief moment outside the door. Juliette’s portrait is quiet and direct. For Paloma, it offers an alternative to the figure with a hat: less playful, more personal.
Why we see it with this club
The spare drawing and direct gaze suit Paloma’s distinctive, hand-drawn visual world. The face offers a quieter note than the figure with a hat.
View the original drawing ↗Alternative for Heideglühen
Many lines. One groove.
Lines crossing and coming together again. They make us think of a full dance floor. The tall shape could work well on a slim metal ashtray.
Why we see it with this club
The organic weave combines repetition with small variations. It complements the musical reading of the rounded groove drawing and the outlines of the club’s identity.
View the original drawing ↗Alternative for Renate
An unexpected guest.
A smoking dumpling. It doesn’t need much explaining. Chloe’s drawing brings the humour; we think it could make a good guest at Renate.
Why we see it with this club
The unexpected everyday object and bold drawing suit Renate’s playful, theatrical character in our eyes. The dumpling takes the lead; the club emblem stays on the back.
View the original drawing ↗Alternative for Renate
Out of line at night.
Dark shapes move around a red centre. You recognise animals, lose sight of them and discover something new. We see a little night of changing roles and unexpected encounters.
Why we see it with this club
The fragmented, surreal animal world gives Renate a more abstract alternative to the walk. The red circle holds the restless scene together.
View the original drawing ↗Alternative for Paloma
One more round.
The record keeps spinning. A red centre, black figures in their own orbit, and suddenly another hour has passed. Our reading turns the small spiral into a memory of a night that went on longer.
Why we see it with this club
The compact graphic and strong black-red contrast suit a music-related edition. The record connection is our story about the image, not a claim about its original subject.
View the original drawing ↗Alternative for Heideglühen
The rhythm carries on.
A dark stroke begins; a light one answers. Shapes slide together, then separate. For us, it’s a movement that echoes from the dance floor all the way home.
Why we see it with this club
The alternation of strong and delicate ink shapes can be read as rhythm. A freer, more painterly alternative to Juliette’s clear parallel lines.
View the original drawing ↗Alternative for Heideglühen
Different every time.
The shapes return to the centre without becoming identical. Like a good loop in which each repetition reveals something different. A small image about keeping things turning.
Why we see it with this club
The radial repetition fits the groove story. Compared with the tall weave, this version offers a compact, circular composition.
View the original drawing ↗Alternative for Sisyphos
The whole crew.
Two quirky birds become a whole group. One turns around, another stands sideways, all part of the same scene. This edition tells our story of friends meeting again outside.
Why we see it with this club
The bird family loosely echoes Sisyphos’s duck world. The taller, densely layered motif carries more group energy than the quiet flamingo pair.
View the original drawing ↗Alternative for Paloma
Already heading home?
The figure leans sideways, as if spotting someone at the last moment. You were about to leave, then stay for one final track. That little sideways glance captures the moment.
Why we see it with this club
Hat, gaze and strong black-and-white shapes stay close to the original Paloma idea. The sideways pose brings another movement to the same family of figures.
View the original drawing ↗Alternative for Sisyphos
One dances differently.
Many pink figures move through the pattern. One is blue. It stands out and still belongs. We see a friendly little story about bringing your own rhythm.
Why we see it with this club
Repetition, animal forms and a playful colour accent offer a free alternative to the flamingos. The club connection comes through our reading of encounters and individuality.
View the original drawing ↗See the original drawings
The work behind the concepts
Every edition starts
with an idea of its own.
Coline’s overview shows the range of available designs. The club proposals use numbers 08, 06 and 10; the wave drawing comes from the wider project pool.
See more drawings from the project pool
These works remain part of the selection. Dumpling: c. · Chloe. Groove drawing: Juliette Joly. The portrait of a woman smoking and the interwoven lines are also by Juliette Joly.
Read the material and printing details
From artwork to ashtray
The art sets the direction.
The print proof shows what works.
One of our two directions: a flat cork-surfaced pouch, around 8 × 8 × 1 cm, with an aluminium lining and snap closure, based on the linked product reference. The round symbol sits at the top of the front, with the artwork and a small artist credit below. The club logo goes on the back. These views show how the combination could look.
Product reference & print details ↗Test one-colour printing
Paloma & Heideglühen
Heideglühen’s lines are a one-colour candidate. For Paloma, the visualisation has black and white areas; this needs an additional white print or an agreed single-colour version.
Preserve the colour
Sisyphos & Renate
Colour is part of the flamingos and the walk. We’ll investigate colour printing or develop a separate single-colour version with Coline.
The product images are AI visualisations based on the drawings and club identities, not print files or finished samples. The linked cork reference currently lists one-sided, one-colour printing from 220 units. Two-sided, colour and white printing, usable print areas and our 50-unit run therefore need individual confirmation. Final artwork and original logo files will be approved together before the print proof.
Our name and symbol
The new symbol
A T. An ashtray. It fits.
Two cigarettes form a T, surrounded by the outline of a round ashtray. This drawing replaces the pocket symbol. The name stays taschenbecher – lowercase, with a gently slanted wordmark.
Only the symbol goes on the ashtrays. The art takes centre stage, with the artist’s name just below it. The wordmark stays on the website.
Before printing, we’ll check the fine lines at actual size. Real samples will show how well they hold up and stay legible on cork and metal.
Download the symbol as SVG ↗Wordmark and symbol as SVG ↗