German Design Council

🎁 The festive season is just around the corner - perfect for taking time for inspiring stories, exciting interviews and in-depth analyses. The latest articles on design, sustainability and innovation await you on ndion. Discover these and many more inspiring articles on ndion - the ideal programme for the quiet hours between the years: - LXSY: Pioneers of Circular Construction: https://lnkd.in/ePzKhGnK - Multispecies Design: Designing With Nature: https://lnkd.in/e2vW6-B2 - Naturally Printed: https://lnkd.in/expemKwb - Aesthetics as Bait: https://lnkd.in/e7FadPVn - Sprayed, Not Glued: https://lnkd.in/eaQYStKW Happy browsing! Photo Credits: 1. Axel Sichrovsky 2. Riccardo de Vecchi 3. Aectual 4. Robert Damisch 5. LightSpray™ manufacturing process #germandesigncouncil #designperspectives #ndion #design #innovation #circulardesign #brand #sustainability

𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻: 𝗠𝗲𝗵𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗶𝘁𝘀 – 𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲 𝗳ü𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! In der aktuellen Podcast-Folge spricht Philipp Thesen, Hochschule Darmstadt, mit Prof. Birgit Mager, Service Design Netzwork, einer der Vordenkerinnen des Service Designs. Es geht unter anderem um: ✅ Die Unterschiede zwischen Service Design und Design Thinking ✅ Service Design als strategischer Hebel für Unternehmen ✅ Systemische und erfolgreiche Veränderungen in Unternehmen 🎧 Jetzt bei Design Perspectives reinhören: https://lnkd.in/eAdcPjqn #servicedesign #designperspectives #transformation #innovation #podcast #design #germandesigncouncil

At the jury session of the German Design Awards 2025, we interviewed our jury members on the potential and defining criteria of successful design. Monica Ahanonu, Founder and Illustrator of Monica Ahanonu Design, explains how the different backgrounds of the jury members have a productive influence on the judging process. In this way, different perspectives and skillsets are brought together, which ultimately contribute to profound selection processes. This approach is exemplified in the outstanding winning projects of the German Design Awards 2025. Thank you, Monica Ahanonu, for these exciting insights and your great jury work. Video: Oliver Hardt / Christoph Weigand #germandesignaward #germandesigncouncil #jury #nominee #productdesign #architecture #communicationsdesign #graphicdesign

The world of design is constantly changing - driven by technological innovations, social challenges and the desire for sustainable solutions. We have already introduced the five finalists (Amelie Kurz, Juni Sun Neyenhuys, Sophia Reißenweber, Max Seeger and Lena Weber) of the German Design Award Newcomer, who set bold impulses and expand our idea of design. If you would like to find out more about the creative minds and their visionary projects, you can find more background information online at ndion. #germandesignaward #design #youngdesigntalent #designtalent #talent #designer #productdesign #textiledesign #textile #digitaldesign #interiordesign #furnituredesign #architecture

"In the digital realm, I believe sustainability often takes on a different meaning than the conventional understanding of the term. The focus shifts from physical resources – which, of course, should still be preserved as much as possible – to a sustainable, modular approach to working. Code can be reused, unnecessary repetition can be avoided, and an "energy efficiency of creation" is central to my approach.", says our German Design Award Newcomer Finalist 2025 Lena Weber. Lena Weber is a designer and creative coder focused on the research and development of design tools and typographic systems. After completing her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the Bauhaus University Weimar, she works as a freelancer, dedicated to creating innovative solutions in the field of design. She is particularly interested in the intersection of art, technology, and philosophical theory, and how these influence visual communication. As a graphic designer who has transitioned into a creative coder, researcher, and type designer, she strives to develop a design philosophy that reflects the ever-changing role of the designer in the current digital landscape. Image 1: Clemens Poloczek Image 2-7: Gradial Typeface Image 8-9: Wim Mono Typeface Image 10-11: Archive Generator - Python Script #germandesignaward#germandesigncouncil#design#designnewcomer#talent#designer#youngdesigner#productdesign#furniture#interiordesign"

Redefining sustainability in industry: As Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of the Würth Group, Bettina Würth has set a benchmark for sustainable leadership. Since 2017, she has driven an ambitious strategy toward climate neutrality and circular economy practices, positioning Würth as a global role model for responsible business. Under her leadership, the company has adopted regenerative energy solutions and advanced circular economy initiatives, including recyclable workwear and innovative methods for retrofitting industrial roofs for solar energy installations. For her visionary approach, Bettina Würth was named "Personality of the Year" at the German Design Award 2024, recognising her lasting impact on sustainability and her inspiration to industries worldwide. Find out more about her remarkable journey and achievements in our interview with her: https://lnkd.in/eqggRmNa #sustainability #innovation #germandesignaward #circulareconomy #leadership #personalityoftheyear

"I hope that design in the field of material innovation will be valued and integrated as an essential component. For example, I think research institutes should include design teams to develop applications. Designers can do so much more than just make products look appealing. In Germany, it’s possible to pursue a PhD in almost any scientific field – so why not as a designer?", says our German Design Award Newcomer Finalist 2025 Juni Sun Neyenhuys. As a creative researcher and designer, Juni Sun Neyenhuys dedicates herself to the development of innovative biomaterials and conceptual design. With a background in Product Design from the Berlin University of the Arts and in Textile and Material Design from Weissensee School of Art and Design, she aims to repurpose natural resources within ecological cycles. Her fascination with algae and its potential led her to work on algae-based materials since 2018, supported by a study scholarship and a startup grant. In the spring of 2020, she travelled to Japan for research purposes—an experience that inspired her to co-found the startup mujō (Japanese for "impermanence"). The company focuses on developing biodegradable, algae-based packaging and won the 2021 "make tomorrow new" award, which enabled further development of the technology and product. Her work combines creative solutions to complex challenges and aligns future visions with ecological sensitivity, technological feasibility, and economic viability. Image 1: Clemens Poloczek Image 2-6: Designing the Afterlife Image 7-9: Mujo Image 10-13: ReCode #germandesignaward#germandesigncouncil#design#designnewcomer#talent#designer#youngdesigner#productdesign#furniture#interiordesign

With the end of the year often comes a new beginning - and sometimes a farewell: after many successful years in the German Design Council team, we are saying goodbye to Alexandra Sender , our Head of Communications and Marketing. As Senior Editor Content & Media Strategy since 2016, Alexandra was responsible for the planning and implementation of communication and PR strategies for all of the organisation's projects. From 2021, she also successfully built up recruiting for the areas of design, branding and innovation before taking over as Head of Communications and Marketing in 2022. With her strategic vision, creative energy and tireless commitment, she has made a significant contribution to strengthening the visibility and positioning of the German Design Council both nationally and internationally. Under her leadership, numerous pioneering campaigns, projects and initiatives have been implemented that have brought the values and visions of our organisation to the world. “With Alexandra Sender, a highly qualified and well-connected colleague has led our communications and marketing team, who knows important stakeholders in business and design as well as the media world and has always contributed visionary impulses. I am very grateful for this,” explains Lutz Dietzold, CEO of the German Design Council. Dear Alexandra, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your extraordinary contribution and wish you all the best for the future - both professionally and privately! 💐 #germandesigncouncil #team #design #communication #marketing

"I’ve noticed time and again that curiosity is my strongest driver and motivator. Discovering something in a topic or idea that excites me because I didn’t know it before or don’t fully understand it yet always sparks my curiosity. The beauty of creative work is that in any field or topic, if you dig deep enough, you’ll always uncover something new.", says our German Design Award Newcomer Finalist 2025 Max Seeger. With a deep understanding of the possibilities offered by digital media, Max Seeger blends creative approaches with technological innovations. His design methodology straddles the realms of science, technology, and design, and he is equally interested in design methods and the creative application of coding to make complex topics accessible and to reveal the uniqueness and beauty of scientific results. During his Bachelor’s and Master’s studies at the Faculty of Design in Würzburg, he received numerous awards for his projects, including the Lumen Prize, the if Design Award, the UX Design Award, and two gold nails from the ADC. Image 1: Clemens Poloczek Image 2-3: Micro Movements Image 4: Jewels of The Sea Image 5: Everything is Growing. Everthing is Math. Image 6-7: CHOM5KY VS.CHOMSKY Image 8: Beethoven Recomposed. Image 9-10: 3D Playground #germandesignaward #germandesigncouncil #design #designnewcomer #talent #designer #youngdesigner #productdesign #furniture #interiordesign

Fast die Hälfte der Menschen ist von einer nicht sichtbaren Behinderung betroffen – und doch bleibt dieses Thema oft unsichtbar. Auch die Umfragen während der Konferenz „Gesellschaft gestalten! Soziale Nachhaltigkeit durch Design“ sprechen eine klare Sprache: 48% der Teilnehmenden gaben an, selbst von einer nicht sichtbaren Behinderung oder Einschränkung betroffen zu sein oder dies zu vermuten. 93% der Befragten kennen eine betroffene Person. Diese Zahlen machen deutlich, dass Inklusion und Barrierefreiheit zentrale gestalterische Herausforderungen sind, die uns alle etwas angehen. Gemeinsam mit Expert*innen und einem engagierten Publikum wurden Antworten präsentiert und erkundet, wie entsprechende Konzepte gestaltet werden können. Die Schlüsselbegriffe des Tages waren: Empathie, Inklusion, Sichtbarkeit und Zukunft. Ein herzliches Dankeschön an Sema Gedik, Jörg Heidrich, Silke Parnack, Tobias Stuntebeck und Rebecca Lefèvre sowie an alle, die diesen wichtigen Austausch ermöglicht haben. Verpasst? Die Veranstaltung gibt es auf YouTube: https://lnkd.in/e8cqceQb Fotos: Steffen Matthes Die Veranstaltung wurde gemeinsam mit der Stiftung Deutsches Design Museum und in freundlicher Unterstützung durch das Wirtschaftsministerium Hessen organisiert. #germandesigncouncil #konferenz #nachhaltigkeit #inklusion #partizipation #vielfalt #gesellschaft #design