The trial run
A project that brings the tradition of metalworking to life for apprentices
A study project by: Yacintha Theato
3rd semester, 2025/2026
Lecturers: Tanja Hakl, Romina Marsico, Prof. Tsunemitsu Tanaka, Tomas Zebis
What is the ‘Walz’?
The ‘Walz’ describes the centuries-old tradition of journeymen and journeywomen, in which they set off on a journey for several years after completing their apprenticeship. During this time, they wear traditional attire, find work and accommodation along the way, and do not use their own mobile devices. They often travel as part of one of several organisations, known as ‘Schächte’. To date, the Walz has only been open to qualified craftspeople. In the past, travelling was compulsory; today, some still choose to do so voluntarily. However, its popularity is gradually waning, even though the tradition has existed since the Middle Ages.
The idea
Through this ‘trial run’, craft apprentices are now set to gain a genuine insight into the lifestyles of journeymen and journeywomen whilst on their travels. In this way, they can reconnect with the roots of their trade and preserve the tradition, without jeopardising the processes of the journeyman’s travels due to the influence of digital media.
The solution
The ‘trial period’ offers trainee tradespeople the opportunity to set out on their own journey for a shorter period (e.g. two weeks). They receive information and the necessary materials through collaboration between their training company and the mine.
To begin with, they set off into the world on their own, with all their belongings; they decide for themselves where to go next, how to get there, whether and when to work, what to do with the money they earn, where to sleep, and so on.
They always carry their ‘Wegbegleiter’ with them – a semi-digital hiking logbook with a built-in tablet. Just like in a normal hiking logbook, they can record their experiences and collect inscriptions and stamps, but they can also make use of the deliberately limited digital functions of the ‘Wegbegleiter’. Navigation aids, useful tips and a enquiry function to communicate with the Schacht are available, but only from the moment the trainees realise they need them. The icing on the cake: if fellow travellers are nearby, a face-to-face meeting can be arranged to seek support or simply enjoy some company. First-hand, from the guardians of tradition.
The implementation
Trainees are encouraged to carry their mobile phones with them in case of an emergency, but not to use them if possible. They are only allowed to carry as many as they can carry. During their journey, they travel on foot or by hitchhiking, if they wish. Via the companion app, they always have an offline map to hand, on which waypoints can be set. If independent navigation isn’t working quite so well yet, they can switch to ‘online’ mode and start assisted navigation.
If anyone needs help, or would like to learn techniques from travelling journeymen and journeywomen, they can use the contacts with the Schacht to get immediate assistance via the chat or arrange a meeting with journeymen and journeywomen in the vicinity. The journey itself is not being digitised – a modern concept is being added to it. This adapts the tradition to the needs of today’s apprentices, in a trial version, and ensures the survival of the journey.
The trial run – experience the tradition.
Disclaimer
This is a student project combining academic and creative elements, with no commercial purpose.
The media used in the project are either licence-free, licensed or subject to academic citation rights. They are used exclusively for academic purposes within the scope of the project and its documentation in text, images and audio.