Dear Readers,
Anyone interested in learning more about AI – beyond the usual discourse on creativity and job security – is warmly invited to the Werkstattgespräch on 10 April at our member Archimedes. But please note the the discussion will be held in German.
We’re especially looking forward to the opening of the Alchimia exhibition on 16 April at the Bröhan Museum – curated by Dr. Tobias Hoffmann, the museum’s director, and our former head and managing director Prof. François Burkhardt.
We also recommend having a look at our interview with Michael Volkmer. He sees his work with the agency Scholz & Volkmer as an ongoing experiment – even after 31 years – focusing on sustainability and a new form of enterprise known to „Verantwortungseigentum“, which roughly translates as “steward ownership”. You’ll have the chance to discuss this with him at the see-Conference on 26 and 27 April in Wiesbaden.
Kind regards,
Your IDZ Team
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IDZ-Member of the Month
Scholz & Volkmer GmbH
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Scholz & Volkmer is a creative agency for digital brand communication, based in Wiesbaden and Berlin. The agency develops interactive communication that combines creative ideas, high-quality design, and innovative technical solutions – for international brands as well as small NGOs. With over 650 awards, Scholz & Volkmer receives regular national and international recognition. In addition to client work, the agency also initiates its own sociopolitical projects, such as the NOx City Air Indicator and a CO₂ app that encourages users to reduce their individual footprint through small everyday actions.
Michael Volkmer trained as a photographer and studied communication design at Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences before founding Scholz & Volkmer with Anette Scholz in 1994. In 2006, he initiated the see-Conference, now one of the largest design conferences in Germany. The non-profit association behind the event, Bilder der Zukunft e.V., promotes sociopolitical impulses for a livable future.
All contributions to our “Member of the Month” series can be found on the IDZ website!
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AI in Dialogue
Panel Discussion on 10 April
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How is artificial intelligence changing our society and democratic processes? Together with Archimedes Exhibitions, we invite you to an interactive fishbowl discussion on 10 April at the AMDX-Werkstatt in Berlin.
Renowned experts from research, design, and culture will join the conversation:
- Prof. Dr. Jeanette Hofmann, political scientist and one of the leading voices on digital regulation, heads the research group “Politics of Digitalization” at the WZB and is Professor of Internet Policy at Freie Universität Berlin.
- Yasemin Keskintepe, art historian and curator, explores the interplay of technology, power, and society in her exhibitions — most recently in “Artificial Intelligence. Machines – Learning – Human Dreams” at the German Hygiene Museum.
- Prof. Dr. Sebastian Löwe, Director of UX Design at Virtual Identity, works at the intersection of design and artificial intelligence and co-authored the book “Design und künstliche Intelligenz”.
Short presentation “Exhibiting AI”: Jan Hillmann-Regett and Katharina Loderstädt, Archimedes Exhibitions
The event will be moderated by IDZ member Prof. Carl Frech (HAW Würzburg). He will introduce the discussion in a short keynote speech - the essays on the topic published in his Basic.Book offer a small introduction.
📅 10 April 2025 | 6:30–8:00 pm, Admission from 18:00, 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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UX Design Awards – Autumn 2025
Meet the Jury!
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The UX Design Awards are defined by the expertise of their distinguished jury. Their experience and judgment make the competition a globally respected platform for outstanding UX design.
This year, the jury includes the following experts:
- Cagri Mercan Bozok, Lead Product Designer, N26
- Sandra Brügmann, Unit Lead Hamburg, Intuity Media Lab
- Dominique Burkard, Principal Industrial and UX Design Manager, EAO
- Trudy Cheung, UX/UI Design Manager, Manulife
- Melanie Dreser, Senior Director Product Design, Celonis
- Tae-Young Kang, Director, Customer Experience Design, Deutsche Telekom
- Martin Krauss, Design Director, SAP
- Lukas Linden, Visual Design Director, wirDesign
- Sogra Nishath, Purchase CX Strategy Leader in Home Print Business Unit, HP
- Atike Pekel, Lead Designer, Philips Experience Design
- Anna Raveling, Design Management, BSH Home Appliances Group
- Aditi Sharma, Head of Design & Research, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Hendrik von Spreckelsen, Partner and Managing Director Germany, Manyone
- Marko Thorhauer, Executive Creative Director, IBM iX
Take the opportunity to have your work reviewed by these leading industry experts — submissions are open 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
Last call
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Companies, designers, students, and creatives from across Europe have until 15 April to submit sustainable products, services and concepts for the German Ecodesign Award – the highest accolade for ecological design by the German government. Don’t miss the chance to submit your application online today!
All key information about the competition is available at a glance in our fact sheet.
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Only those who can visualize the future will set out to achieve it.
On 26 and 27 April, the see-Conference in Wiesbaden presents visions for a livable future — with inspiring perspectives from design, art, and science.
As a cooperation partner, we’re especially pleased to share this offer: use the code SEE-SPECIAL-25 to receive 25 % off your tickets!
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Selected designers, companies and agencies will offer exciting insights into the development of their projects during DIVE’25, taking place from 8 to 10 May, in connection with the exhibition “Thinking Ahead” by the German Ecodesign Award.
With the code g3vß3j5j, friends of the IDZ can secure four tickets at the Early Bird rate, even after the deadline — first come, first served!
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New Members
Welcome to the IDZ!
A warm welcome to our newest company members! We are delighted to introduce the Büscher Group (Germany), Cosmic Velocity (United Kingdom), Eye Studios (Italy), and QIMU Design (USA) to the IDZ community. We look forward to inspiring encounters and future collaborations.
Bauhaus-Archiv / Museum für Gestaltung
Archives: Collecting with Purpose, Reading Politically
On 29 April, the temporary bauhaus-archiv will host a discussion as part of the „Haltung üben“ (“Practicing Attitude”) series, focusing on political strategies of collecting. Using selected examples and objects, the conversation will explore who decides what is collected — and whose stories are visible or missing in archives and museums.
Prof. Pelin Celik and Katrin Krupka
Mia Seeger Prize 2025 Jury
This year, IDZ members Prof. Pelin Celik and Katrin Krupka are part of the jury for the Mia Seeger Prize — congratulations! Students and graduates of German universities can submit design work until 28 April. The prize focuses on design solutions that provide societal benefit.
eckedesign
Sustainable Trade Fair Stand for Berliner Luft
For the ISH, eckedesign created a resource-efficient stand for Berliner Luft, featuring lightweight construction, reusable elements, and a pneumatic air-filled structure — the same medium used in the company's products. The concept saves materials and costs while creating a unique atmosphere.
Joachim Kobuss
#56. Design Economy – Are You Going Precarious?
In his latest column, Joachim Kobuss reflects on developments in the design economy. A growing share of workers face precarious conditions, while institutional monitoring remains vague. Can such monitoring still contribute to clarity?
PLEXGROUP
Modular Trade Fair Stand for ebm-papst
PLEXGROUP developed a modular trade fair concept for ebm-papst, which premiered at Chillventa 2024 and returned at ISH 2025. The system is flexible, reusable, and strategically designed for a long-term brand presence.
wirDesign
Workshop: Accessibility & Branding – Challenge and Opportunity
As part of the “UNBLOCK DESIGN” event at SAE Institute Hannover on 15 May, Marcus Morczinietz and Frederik Wilken will present practical examples and host a debate club-style format to explore different perspectives — sharpening arguments and discovering new approaches to accessible design.
Dear IDZ members: Send us your news – we will be happy to publish them here!
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ARCH+ Space
ARCH+ Salon: Solidarity and the Common Good
On 8 April, ARCH+ invites guests to its salon at Friedrichstraße 23a. The discussion will focus on how the principles of public interest, abstaining from speculation, and social responsibility can contribute to permanently affordable housing. The occasion is the release of two new books, including works by Joanna Kusiak and Anne Kockelkorn.
Bröhan Museum
Alchimia. The Revolution of Italian Design
From 17 April to 7 September, the Bröhan Museum presents the first comprehensive retrospective of the radical Italian design group Alchimia. The exhibition explores their break with functionalism and the emergence of emotional, expressive design in the 1970s and ’80s. Featured designers include Alessandro Mendini, Ettore Sottsass, and Andrea Branzi. Curated by Tobias Hoffman and François Burkhardt.
HTW Berlin
Register Now: XR Training for Creatives
From 13 May to 24 June, HTW Berlin offers free in-person courses and online tutorials on augmented, mixed, and virtual reality for the creative sector. The program provides hands-on training in tools like Unity and Blender, while fostering connections among creative professionals.
Spiced Academy
Service Design Jam Berlin
From 11 to 13 April, the Service Design Jam Berlin focuses on healthcare – a collaborative design sprint for interdisciplinary teams. Participants create, test, and present user-centered solutions within 48 hours. The event is currently fully booked, but a waiting list is available!
Funkhaus Berlin
SX Tech Festival
On 16 April, the festival brings together perspectives on SexTech, diversity, biohacking, and body technologies. Its interdisciplinary program addresses professionals from tech, research, healthcare, and the creative industries.
Various Locations in Berlin
＿matter Festival 2025
From April to October, the ＿matter Festival 2025 explores materiality and design in science and society across 12 locations in Berlin. Installations, talks, and workshops examine the role of material processes in design and research.
AXICA Berlin
iF Design Trend Conference 2025
On 25 April, this conference will explore current design trends and societal change. Topics include developments in AI, sustainable design, and the future of work.
silent green
Pictoplasma Berlin 2025
From 23 to 27 April, the Pictoplasma Conference for character design, illustration, and animation features talks, screenings, workshops, and exhibitions by international creators.
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Frankfurt am Main
Designhaus Darmstadt: Fritz Eichler – Director and Designer
Until 27 April, the Braun Collection in Kronberg and the Hessian Economic Archive present an exhibition exploring Eichler’s role in Braun design and his humanist approach to design. Eichler is portrayed as a creative mediator between theater, industry, and design.
Hamburg
MKG: Hello Image – The Staging of Things
From 4 April 2025 to 12 April 2026, the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg focuses on the visual language of design products – from photography and graphics to brand identity. Through around 20 case studies, including design classics and new discoveries, the exhibition shows how objects are staged and how these visual strategies shape our understanding of design.
Eindhoven
Dutch Design Week 2025: Call for Entries
The call for participation in Dutch Design Week is open until 9 June. The DDW, taking place from 18 to 26 October, is seeking projects that actively shape social change. The program includes exhibitions, talks, and labs across Eindhoven.
Milan
Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week 2025
From 8 to 13 April, the Salone del Mobile brings the international furniture and interior design community together in Milan. The parallel Milan Design Week features numerous exhibitions and installations throughout the city.
Munich
Pinakothek der Moderne: 4 Museums – 1 Modern Era
From 4 April to 28 September, four Munich museums present a joint exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Die Neue Sammlung. The focus is on key works of modernism from the 1910s to 1930s across art, architecture, design, and graphic design. The exhibition is organized into the themes of aesthetics, materials, institutions, and society.
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