Platform for dialogue and cooperation
The German Design Graduates programme brings together digital infrastructure, public presentation and engagement with the design profession within a single framework.
A selection of the projects is exhibited annually at a renowned German museum. The format is aimed at a specialist audience from the fields of design, culture and business, and allows visitors to experience recent final-year projects in person. In addition, exhibitions are organised for other occasions and in collaboration with companies and institutions, each of which sets different thematic priorities each year.
As part of the annual exhibition, German Design Graduates organises workshops and networking events. These promote professional exchange between universities on course content, teaching approaches and findings from design research. At the same time, they foster contacts with companies, institutions and graduates, offering concrete opportunities for collaboration and long-term networking.
German Design Graduates provides graduates with concrete pathways into the professional world. The initiative showcases final-year projects, situates them within a professional context and facilitates dialogue with companies, institutions and the design community. Its various formats help graduates to present their projects, make contacts and shape their transition into the profession.
- Publication of final projects on a central platform
- Visibility among companies, the media and institutions
- Presentation of selected projects in exhibitions with an international reach
- Building a professional network
- Participation in workshops and events with industry partners
- Use of the projects as references for job applications and collaborations
- Direct contact with potential employers
Graduates Platform
The central element is the Graduates Platform. It permanently archives all submitted final projects and links them to the profiles of the participating universities. This creates a continuously expanding overview of current trends in German design education, which is interdisciplinary in nature and enhances international visibility.
Exhibition
This digital foundation is complemented by the annual exhibition. Around 70 selected projects from some 30 universities are presented in a curated exhibition. The selection highlights both the creative quality and the thematic breadth of the work, placing the projects within a broader professional and social context.
Framework programme
An accompanying programme of workshops, panel discussions and networking events enhances the exhibition by facilitating direct dialogue. It brings graduates together with representatives from industry, research and the cultural sector, creating concrete opportunities for collaboration and career guidance. This year, the programme is taking place alongside the exhibition at the Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum in the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich.
GERman Design Award – Newcomer of the Year
Another key element is the link to the German Design Award. The title ‘Newcomer of the Year’ is awarded from among the graduates. Graduates submit their portfolios, and the selection is made by an international jury.
