Until 5 January 2025, the 45 visionary projects selected from 22 different universities in Germany take multiple design approaches to narrate social changes with an outlook for the future. Solutions capable of meeting the challenges of the contemporary world, in a profound merger of culture, technology, society and sustainability: from urban wind energy to robot-assisted manufacturing, from circular design in electronics to 3D-printed healthcare products.
“Our initiative German Design Graduates – says Lutz Dietzold, Managing Director of German Design Council – offers young design talents an international platform. We support graduates in the field of product and industrial design, putting them into contact with leading sector players and providing stimuli for innovative projects capable of reshaping the world.” From the 11 finalists selected by a jury of professionals, on 30 August 2024 four winners were announced, each receiving a cash prize of €2500.
In the category Design for New Knowledge and a Sustainable Product Culture, the project “Planned Obsolescence: Problem or Opportunity?” by Dean Weigand (Hochschule der Bildenden Künste Saar, Master of Arts) demonstrates how a washing machine with a defective electronic part, weighing just 0.000839 kg, can transform into non-recyclable wreckage of over 60 kg. Through in-depth research, Dean has discovered that this type of wear was not considered in the design phase, pointing to economically sustainable solutions; “About Slag” by Max Greiner (Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle, Bachelor of Arts) utilizes the waste from a blast furnace to create a vitreous substance, giving rise to experimental objects based on close collaboration between industry and crafts.
In the category Design for Diverse Coexistence, Philipp Cartier (Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg, Master of Arts), with FrederikKampe, JuleHeleneLeinpinsel, RobertSchröter, Lisa Heinze and NorbertLein, presented “Design Policy Hub,” an exploration of the relationship between politics and design that collaborates on two pilot projects with members of the Bundestag and political scientists. The goal? To promote sustainable change in the culture of design of political processes, ensuring democratic outlooks.
Finally, in Design for Practical Solutions with Responsibility, Lena Hellmann (Kunsthochschule Kassel, Diploma) with “TAG” has created table utensils that encourage shared experiences, with an accent on social interaction. Created with 3D printing and an economical production process, they are made in collaboration with the producer mono. “It is extraordinary to see how the new generation of graduates from German design schools – Lutz Dietzold remarks – is approaching today’s challenges with innovative thinking and action. The winning projects impressively demonstrate that design can be a driving force for change and innovation.”
