Programme
The most important task of German Design Graduates is to showcase the quality and diversity of these academic achievements and practice-oriented solutions. The graduates are introduced to an international audience through formats such as networking events, exhibitions, and the Graduates Platform. They are supported through training courses and the German Design Award 2026 – Newcomer. This gives them a prestigious platform at the beginning of their careers.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals serve as a guiding framework for our programme development.
Museum Exhibition @ MAKK
4 September – 12 October 2025
The most exciting and best graduation projects are selected by a team of curators and presented as a group exhibition in a renowned German museum.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a discursive supporting programme. In talks, graduates and industry experts will discuss the future of design and prospects for young talent. In cooperation with the museum service of the MAKK, workshops will be organised with graduates as leaders.
Host 2025: MAKK, Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln
Benefits For selected Participating Graduates
- Reputation building through exhibitions in internationally renowned museums and at design festivals
- Recognition through selection by highly respected curators
- Exhibition space in curated, designed group exhibitions
- Opportunity to participate in events such as openings, panel discussions, and partner events to expand your personal network
- Accompanying communication measures on a national/international level
- Subsidies for travel expenses
- Press releases and PR activities
Trainings
All participants have the opportunity to apply for training courses to sharpen their personal profile. In one-day workshops with and in companies, they receive practical impulses from the professional world.
This year’s partner organisations include MAGAZIN, NDION and the Institute for Design Research and Appliance.
The programme is aimed at all graduates, regardless of industry or intended career field, whether as a designer, founder, consultant, researcher or management position.
Applications for the individual formats are made in the Call for Entries. Participants will be selected by the partner organisations. The training courses will take place in November – December 2025.
Benefits
- Opportunities for professional and personal development
- Development of a professional network
- Subsidies for travel expenses
Cooperations & recommendations
German Design Graduates is in close contact with institutions such as the World Design Organisation, BEDA, as well as international festivals and trade fairs. German Design Graduates regularly makes recommendations for their young talent programmes. This year’s partners are the ‘Ambiente Talents’ and the exhibition ‘Talents – Masters of the Future’ at the International Crafts Fair in Munich.
Benefits
- Special presence on the website and social media channels of the German Design Council
- Special networking opportunities and cross-university, interdisciplinary discourse
- Recommendation for talent programmes of partner organisations
German Design Award – Newcomer
The finalists for the German Design Award 2027 – Newcomer, which will be presented at Ambiente as part of the German Design Awards, will be nominated from among the submissions to German Design Graduates 2026.
German Design Award – Newcomer
Benefits
- International PR work
- Presence in the online gallery of the German Design Award
- Award show: Announcement of the ‘German Design Award 2026 – Newcomer’, stage and networking programme
Platform
All submitted projects are published on the Graduates Platform after editing, where they join projects from previous years to form a growing archive of young designers’ topics and positions.
Selected works will also be promoted via the German Design Council’s social media channels.
