Dear Readers,
Please join us in celebrating the winners of the first UX Design Awards competition of the year when announce them on 5 March!
This is the last competition run under the auspices of Ralf Wudtke, Managing Director of our GmbH for many years. We would like to thank him for fifteen years of supporting the team with his knowledge and experience. IDZ member Ralf Huss has been appointed as the new Managing Director––we look forward to working with him!
We wish you a wonderful start to spring,
Your IDZ Team
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IDZ-Member of the Month
Smyrna Design
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Berlin-based Smyrna Design places ecodesign principles at its core, to craft smart and climate-friendly furniture for diverse spaces – one example being the #UXDA23-nominated All-In-One Kitchen.
Its founder, Pürlen Karaçam, is a system designer and entrepreneur from Izmir, Turkey—historically known as Smyrna. With a background in Management Sciences (Université de Montpellier I) and a master’s in Information Systems & Technology Management (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), she honed her expertise where sustainability, technology, and user-centered innovation intersect. Her knack for forging strong partnerships has connected Smyrna with eco-suppliers, local manufacturers, talented product designers, and architects worldwide. Pürlen draws on insights from multiple industries and cultures to create smart and sustainable design solutions that drive responsible consumption through circular products and services.
All contributions to our “Member of the Month” series can be found on the IDZ website!
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UX Design Awards – Spring 2025
Let's Celebrate the Winners!
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On 5 March, we’ll reveal the recipients of this season’s UX Design Awards. Our esteemed jury has carefully selected the most outstanding projects from 162 nominations. Don’t miss the big announcement! Register on LinkedIn!
Second #UXDA24 Call for Entries until 31 May 2025
The call for entries for the UX Design Awards – Autumn 2025 was already launched on 1 March. Companies, agencies, professionals, and young designers are again invited to submit their best work for the global competition for outstanding experience design until 31 May. All details on participation and the competition dates can be found on the UXDA website.
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German Ecodesign Award 2025
Q&A
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Are you working on well-designed, durable, and circular products, processes, or systems and planning to apply for the German Ecodesign Award 2025? Then join the Q&A session! On 11 and 12 March, the German Ecodesign Award team will answer all your questions about the call for entries, the submission process, and the participation requirements via Zoom. Whether you're an entrepreneur, designer, or student — the team will help you prepare your application in the best possible way. Please note: The Q&A will be held in German.
To register:
Tuesday, 11 March, 9–10 AM
Wednesday, 12 March, 4–5 PM
Projects can be submitted for the German Ecodesign Award until 14 April.
The current “Thinking ahead” roadshow is on display at its first stop at the Esche Museum until 23 March. A visit to the museum is worthwhile to explore a piece of forgotten industrial history. Further information can be found here.
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IDZ Member Circle
Working Groups
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Photo: Sandra Kühnapfel © IDZ
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IDZ Member Circles provide regular opportunities for networking and professional exchange – exclusively for our company members. Following these sessions, members can join working groups throughout the year to engage in in-depth discussions, exchange ideas, and expand their networks.
Currently, there is one group: AI & Teams: Future Skill Sets and Building Design Teams, led by Filippos Petridis, Design and AI Expert at Siemens.
We welcome suggestions for additional working groups – and would appreciate your support in leading them.
Interested? Get in touch: members@idz.de
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Save the Date:
IDZ Event “AI in Dialogue”
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Together with Archimedes Exhibitions, we invite you to a panel discussion on 10 April at the AMDX workshop. In an interactive fishbowl format, we’ll explore how AI shapes our society and democratic processes — its opportunities and risks.
Panelists: Prof. Dr. Jeanette Hofmann (FU Berlin, WZB), Yasemin Keskintepe (Art Scholar, Curator), Prof. Dr. Sebastian Löwe (Virtual Identity), Prof. Carl Frech (HAW Würzburg), Jan Hillmann-Regett (mattership.io) and Katharina Loderstädt (Archimedes Exhibitions).
📅 10 April 2025 | 6:30–8:00 pm, followed by a get-together
📍 Archimedes Exhibitions, Saarbrücker Str. 24, Berlin
🎤 The debate will be held in German.
🎟️ Register now, admission is free!
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The Circular Design Summit of the German Design Council will bring together leading minds from business, industry, and design in Stuttgart on 11 March, all united by a shared vision: economic success in harmony with ecological sustainability.
IDZ members receive discounted tickets.
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Only those who can visually imagine a future will take the steps to achieve it.
Once again in 2025, the see-Conference will create images of the future. On 26 and 27 April in Wiesbaden, it will bring together experts from design, art, and science to present their ideas for a livable future.
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Design meets politics, business, and society: The German Design Day invites you to the DIVE’25 Federal Congress in Munich from 8 to 10 May.
IDZ members receive discounted tickets.
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New Members
Welcome to the IDZ!
A warm welcome to our newest members! We are delighted to welcome the companies Decent 42, Kynd Hair, Lumod, PONG Design, Prophet, Re-Fresh Global, Schwalbe – Ralf Bohle GmbH, and Thonet, as well as individual members Franziska Baumgartner and Sophia Reißenweber, to the IDZ community. Great to have you with us — we look forward to an inspiring exchange of ideas.
Bauhaus-Archiv / Museum für Gestaltung
Barberini meets Bauhaus-Archiv
The Bauhaus-Archiv is collaborating with the Museum Barberini for the bauhaus_werkstatt mobil. Following a guided tour of the “Kosmos Kandinsky” exhibition, a joint workshop will foster a creative dialogue with the geometric art of the Bauhaus era.
c. fischer innenarchitekten
Berlin Office of Wikimedia Deutschland e. V.
c. fischer innenarchitekten has redesigned Wikimedia Deutschland's Berlin office — with bold colors and a strong participatory process. From surveys to workshops, the results were integrated into the planning and implementation. The outcome: new meeting rooms, a communal kitchen, and refreshed office spaces.
Formfjord
Double Award Win
Formfjord and Displine GmbH have received two German Design Awards from the German Design Council! The sunset iPad wall mount and sunset iPad stand were both honored. Congratulations!
Gesellschaft für Designgeschichte e.V.
2025 Annual Conference “Shaping Futures”
The Gesellschaft für Designgeschichte e.V. invites you to the 2025 Annual Conference, Shaping Futures: On the Educational Objectives of Design Studies in Divided Germany. The event will take place on 4–5 July at the new premises of the Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge in Berlin, in cooperation with weißensee kunsthochschule berlin. The call for papers will be announced soon.
Joachim Kobuss
#55. Design Research Decisions
In his latest column, Joachim Kobuss explores why design research seems to be a complex topic for designers, design institutions, and companies. Kobuss argues that design research should not focus solely on performance. Instead, he suggests complementing evaluation and assessment with Design Value Indicators.
medianet berlinbrandenburg e.V.
Survey Launch: Media Barometer 2025
The Media Barometer annually examines the economic situation, technological developments, and current trends in the media, creative, and digital industries in Berlin-Brandenburg. In 2025, the focus will be: “Innovation or Stagnation – How Competitive and AI-Driven are Film, Games, and Media Tech Companies in Berlin-Brandenburg?” By participating, you help identify the right measures for the successful development of the region's industries.
PONG.DESIGN
iF Gold for PIONIERKRAFTwerk 3.0
PONG.DESIGN has been awarded the iF Design Award Gold. Their innovative energy-sharing system, designed in collaboration with Pionierkraft, promotes fair pricing and supports sustainable, democratic structures. Congratulations!
Dear IDZ members: Send us your news – we will be happy to publish them here!
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Bröhan Museum
Will McBride. The Berlin Years
Until 1 June, the Bröhan Museum presents the exhibition Will McBride – The Berlin Years. The American photographer, who came to Berlin in 1955 as a discharged G.I., developed a deeply personal, existentialist visual language. His work was particularly influenced by youth culture and the spirit of the 1950s. Ten years after his death, this exhibition honors one of the most important photographers of the post-war era and highlights the unique interplay between art and the city.
bulthaup Karl-Marx-Allee
Exhibition “A Taste of Art”
bulthaup Karl-Marx-Allee, together with the serpen’ Gallery and gallerist Natalia Yakymovych, invites you to an exhibition of contemporary Ukrainian art. Among the works on display is Oleksii Zolotar's Mechanical Orange — three metal sculptures reinterpreting human ideals such as dreams, hope, and love through the lens of technology and legend. The exhibition runs until 1 June.
DDR Museum
Verspielte DDR. Classic Toys from the East
The exhibition „Verspielte DDR. Spielzeugklassiker aus dem Osten“ showcases well-known and lesser-known toys from the former GDR until 17 October. It evokes childhood memories from socialist society, offering a fascinating glimpse into everyday culture in the GDR.
Kunstgewerbemuseum
Fashion from Paris. Erika Hoffmann's Donation
On display until 14 December, this exhibition presents 20 selected garments and accessories from Erika Hoffmann's donation. It spans over 20 years of Parisian fashion history — from the late 1970s to the early 1990s — featuring pieces by renowned designers such as Thierry Mugler, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Maison Margiela.
Museum Barberini
Kosmos Kandinsky. Geometric Abstraction in the 20th Century
The Kosmos Kandinsky exhibition, running until 18 May, explores geometric abstraction in Wassily Kandinsky's work. It highlights the development of abstract art in the 20th century and emphasizes Kandinsky's influence on modern art and the design of space and form. Alongside the artist's masterpieces, works by his contemporaries and collaborators are also featured.
Museum für Kommunikation
Uderzo. Von Asterix bis Zaubertrank
Until 15 June, the exhibition is dedicated to the creator of the famous Asterix comics, Albert Uderzo. Curated by Sylvie Uderzo, the artist's daughter, and Berlin-based comic artist Flix, the show offers an in-depth look at Uderzo's life's work, with original drawings and rare exhibits that trace the evolution of the beloved comic series.
Radialsystem
Forecast Festival 2025
On 14–15 March, the Forecast Festival will showcase groundbreaking creative visions. The platform supports bold artistic practices through intensive mentoring. Among others, designer Johanna Seelemann will present her project Soil Assembly, exploring transformative ideas for agriculture. She will be accompanied by mentor Fiona Raby, who will also introduce her speculative design projects.
TU Berlin
9th International Cradle to Cradle Congress
On 13–14 March, the world’s largest platform for Cradle to Cradle and Circular Economy returns to TU Berlin. With around 1,000 participants, the congress offers panel discussions, best practices, keynotes, and networking opportunities — bringing together experts from business, politics, and science.
Various Locations
EMOP Berlin – European Month of Photography 2025
Under the theme What Stands Between Us, EMOP Berlin 2025 runs until the end of March, focusing on the tensions and connections of our time. The central festival exhibition Photography as a Medium of Chronicle at the Akademie der Künste presents around 20 contemporary artistic positions. The festival is accompanied by numerous exhibitions in Berlin’s museums, galleries, and project spaces.
Werkbundarchiv/Museum der Dinge
Wish you were here – Opening of the Interventions
The Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge invites visitors to the exhibition Wish you were here until 16 June. Artistic interventions encourage a fresh perspective on everyday objects, offering an unconventional way to experience design and culture.
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Eisenhüttenstadt
Museum Utopie und Alltag: PURe Visionen
The exhibition, running until 30 March, explores the design history of plastic furniture in East and West Germany. It showcases iconic designs that shaped the everyday life and aesthetics of the 20th century.
Herford
Marta Herford: Luigi Colani. Forms of the Future
Until 23 March, Marta Herford dedicates a comprehensive exhibition to Luigi Colani. The show presents his visionary, organic designs and questions how forward-thinking his ideas remain today.
London
Royal Academy of Arts: Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism
The Royal Academy in London presents how Brazilian modernism evolved — from the 1920s to the post-war era — until 21 April. Architecture, design, and art as expressions of a new cultural identity.
Online
Introduction to the INCREACE Recyclability Assessment Tool (RAT)
As part of the EU project INCREACE, Philips and PEZY have developed a tool to help designers and engineers calculate a product’s recyclability and identify design improvements. It enables the creation of recyclable design options using only existing product data. The tool is based on years of collaboration with recyclers and scientific research. You can register for the online session on 26 March and the live testing in Eindhoven on 27 March here.
Eindhoven
Open Call: Grand Projects at Dutch Design Week 2025
The Dutch Design Week (DDW) launches its second open call for large-scale public installations, inviting designers, architects, and creatives to shape Eindhoven’s public spaces from 18 to 26 October. Monumental projects and immersive installations will be presented at key locations such as Stadhuisplein, Markt, and Ketelhuisplein. Applications are open until 14 March via the DDW website.
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