Dare to design
September 04 – October 12
The annual exhibition “Dare to Design. German Design Graduates” by the German Design Council Foundation brings together the most interesting works by graduates of German universities. The projects provide deep insights into the current work at German universities and show promising solutions to the major challenges of our time, such as climate change, political radicalization or inclusion. A curatorial team selects projects and concepts for the exhibition from several hundred submissions that reflect the range of innovative power of design talent – from circular product design to new systemic approaches. Works from the fields of product and industrial design, communication and digital design as well as textile and fashion design will be on display.
GDG Talks
Todays crisis and conflicts call for forward-looking approaches – and the willingness to dare to transform. As part of the annual exhibition “Dare to Design. German Design Graduates 2025” of the German Design Council Foundation, the double feature “Dare to Design” will take place on September 18 and October 7, 2025. Experts from industry, research and culture will talk to young talents about the impact of design on areas such as climate change, political extremism and inclusion. Which innovations and product cultures have the ability to enable a transformation? This is what needs to be discussed.
Exhibition location
MAKK – Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln
The “Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln” (MAKK) was founded in 1888 and is the second oldest museum in the city of Cologne. It stands for art and design. With its extensive collection of European arts and crafts, fine art and international design, it is unique in North Rhine-Westphalia. Unique features include the collection presentation “Art and Design in Dialogue”, which provides a view of simultaneous phenomena in the history of art and design, as well as the new permanent exhibition “The Fascination of Jewelry. 7000 years of jewelry art at the MAKK”, which ranges from ancient oriental gems from the 5th millennium BC to contemporary jewelry works. Since 1989, the MAKK has been housed in the building designed by Rudolf Schwarz and Josef Bernard in 1957, the first museum building in Germany after the Second World War.
MAKK – Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln
An der Rechtschule 7
50667 Köln
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
1st Thursday of the month: 10 am – 10 pm except on public holidays
Closed on Mondays except public holidays
© Detlef Schumacher
Programme
GDG Talks
Thursday, September 18
Tuesday, October 7
Workshops for adults (in german)
In cooperation with the Museum Service at the MAKK
Time in each case: 12:00 – 15:00
Price each: € 21.00 | Material: € 4.00
Speakers: Gradutes tba
Sunday, September 7
Registration until September 01
Sunday, September 14
Registration until September 08
Sunday, September 21
Registration until September 15
Sunday, September 28
Registration until September 22
Guided tours for adults (in german)
In co-operation with the Museum Service at the MAKK
Sunday, 7 September
11:00 – 11:30
Guide: Graduierte tba
Tuesday, 16 September
16:30 – 17:30
Guide: Museum Service
Tuesday, 30 September
16:30 – 17:30
Guide: Museum Service