Make It Make Sense

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.

Exhibition Partner

Exhibition and Programme
Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum

From October 16 to November 29, 2026, approximately 70 selected graduation projects from about 30 German universities will be presented. The exhibition will feature projects in product and industrial design, communication and digital design, as well as textile and fashion design. The selection offers insight into the breadth of current design approaches and demonstrates how a new generation of designers is engaging with social and technological developments.

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.

Program partner

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.

A program 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.

see workshops here

Program Partner

ProjeCTS

Information on photography and filming during events

Photographs and films taken on behalf of the German Design Council at events are used by the German Design Council exclusively for documentation, reporting and advertising purposes. By registering, the registrant agrees to this use. This consent can be revoked at any time without formal notice (e.g. by email to presse@gdc.de or in writing to the German Design Council).

The German Design Council reserves the right to cancel the event shortly before it takes place. If the event cannot take place or cannot take place in full due to force majeure, the registrant shall have no claims arising from this.