1966: Nicolaus Ott trains as a graphic draughtsman. 1969–74: studies at the Hochschule der Künste under Herbert W. Kapitzki.
1978: Ott+Stein graphic design studio founded in Berlin. They design primarily for cultural institutions and have produced posters, catalogues and typographical logos. 1988: Ott+Stein share a visiting professorship at the Hochschule der Künste Berlin. Since 1996 they have shared a professorship at the Kunsthochschule Kassel.
Exhibitions of their posters include: DDD Gallery, Osaka, 2002; Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, 2002 and 1992; Aedes East Architectural Gallery, Berlin 1997; Stilwerk, Hamburg, 1996; Deutsches Plakatmuseum, Essen, 1995; International Design Centre, Berlin, 1991 and 1983. In 1992 a book about their poster work, Vom Wort zum Bild und zurück, was published by Ernst & Son, with text by Ulf Erdmann Ziegler. In 1998, together with Friedrich Friedl, Ott+Stein published an encyclopedia of typography; TYPO: When, Who, How (Könemann Verlag).