Pictoplasma is the world’s leading platform for contemporary character design and art across the genres of illustration, animation, design, digital and arts. The brainchild of Peter Thaler and Lars Denicke was founded in 1999 to investigate possibilities and limitations of current character representation. The focus is on how reduced and minimal design can maximize empathy. Having built a global network of creatives and producers, Pictoplasma holds annual conferences in Berlin and New York, offers programmes for further education, and gives characters and their designers visibility – through its events and online activities, publishing and exhibitions.