Make it Make Sense
‘Make It Make Sense’ is a phrase that circulates in internet culture as a succinct response to contradictions and overwhelming situations. Often accompanied by exaggerated images or ironic formats, the expression marks the moment when something no longer adds up and demands clarification.
Applied to design, ‘Make It Make Sense’ describes how to deal with complexity and the question of how complex relationships can be made comprehensible. ‘German Design Graduates’ takes up this idea and showcases work that engages with such situations. Design is thus revealed as a potential method for structuring complexity and making it accessible.
FörderPartner 2026
Programmpartner 2026
Exhibition and Programme
Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum
Vom 16. Oktober bis 29. November 2026 werden rund 70 ausgewählte Abschlussarbeiten aus etwa 30 deutschen Hochschulen präsentiert. Gezeigt werden Projekte aus Produkt- und Industriedesign, Kommunikations- und Digitaldesign sowie Textil- und Modedesign. Die Auswahl gibt einen Einblick in die Bandbreite aktueller gestalterischer Positionen und zeigt, wie sich eine neue Generation von Designerinnen und Designern mit gesellschaftlichen und technologischen Entwicklungen auseinandersetzt.
The exhibition is accompanied by a programme specifically designed to foster dialogue. The opening will take place on 15 October 2026. This will be followed by full-day workshops in which graduates will work directly with companies and institutions in small groups. The programme will be complemented by discussion forums and a round-table discussion for representatives of higher education institutions.
FUnding Partner
In recent years, German Design Graduates has been exhibited at venues including the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg, the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, the Museum Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt, the Kunstgewerbemuseum in Berlin and the MAKK in Cologne. The changing exhibition venues reflect the aim of showcasing design in a variety of institutional contexts.
ProgrammE partner
A programme of workshops brings graduates together with companies and organisations from the design sector. Working in small groups, they explore topics such as design implementation, circular design, branding and design research.
Guided tours for school pupils and prospective students will be held throughout the exhibition. These tours provide an insight into current final-year projects and offer guidance on the various design degree programmes.