Our Mission

Moving Business by Design

The German Design Council is Germany’s leading authority on design. Since 1953. As a thought leader in the field, we are committed to realising the potential of design for a sustainable future. We connect business with design – for circular design, transformation, and economic success.

more about

Upcoming

Membes only

Members Talk by Vestre

Speaker: Øyvind Bjørnstad, Vestre

24-09-2026

14:00 - 15:00

Online

Awards

Awards Ceremony | ICONIC AWARDS 2026

06-10-2026

Membes only

Members Talk by ET GLOBAL

Speaker: Wolfgang Appelsmeier, ET GLOBAL GmbH

08-10-2026

14:00 - 15:00

Online

Membes only

Expert Circle „Design for Circular Economy“

Hansgrohe

13-10-2026

10:30 - 17:00

Schiltach

view the Calendar

Independent Since 1953

As a non-profit foundation, established by the German Bundestag, we promote design as a cultural and economic factor. Free from individual interests.

Photo: Grand Visions © German Design Council

Bridge Between Business & Design

Over 330 member companies benefit from our cross-sector network and from our role as a bridge between industry and the creative economy.

Shaping Tomorrow by Design

We drive the future of design with circular principles, AI and transformative innovation for a sustainable tomorrow.

Showcasing Design Excellence

Our awards and support programmes make design excellence visible and offer young talents a platform.

Consulting Services

Design Decides. We Advise.

We support you with strategic consulting, process and design expertise, and a strong partner network. Our goal is to translate design into value creation, innovation and transformation.

Pencil Case s'maepp Colour Code by Brunnen© INVIVO | Brunnen

learn more

The Magazine of the German Design Council

Homo Faber 2026

When Craft Becomes Capital

The Homo Faber Biennial in Venice celebrates craftsmanship as a cultural and creative force. Yet behind this renaissance lies an economic logic: rare skills are becoming an economic resource ...

14 September 2026

Circle in Offenbach

Building Change Together

In Offenbach, numerous industry stakeholders have joined forces as “Circle”. As a collective, they aim to advance the circular economy in the construction sector.

09 September 2026

German Design Graduates

“Design is a form of knowledge production”

‘Make It Make Sense’ is making the rounds online as a straightforward response to contradictions and feelings of being overwhelmed. Four experts in education and public engagement discuss ...

08 September 2026

to the Magazine

Publication

The Major German Brands 2027

The 2027 edition highlights brands that see design not as an add-on, but as a strategic driver. The Major German Brands showcases the success stories of companies that demonstrate what becomes possible when design propels business models forward.

learn more

Latest News

German Design Council Foundation

Meet the New Members of the German Design Council Foundation

The German Design Council Foundation welcomes five new members from the audio, textile management, fire safety, kitchen manufacturing and sustainability consulting sectors. Their expertise broadens ...

26 August 2026

German Design Council Foundation

Digital Product Passport: What Businesses Need to Know Now

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) will become mandatory across the European Union in stages. At the German Design Council’s Members Talk with COR and Narravero on 9 July 2026, the discussion focused ...

12 August 2026

World Design Capital 2026

Better Systems Through Service Design? Key Takeaways From the Panel Talk

The second talk in the Moving Business by Design series put a question centre stage, one that is long overdue: Why do we design products with such care, yet neglect the systems behind them?

11 June 2026

International Cooperation

Design Connects: Indian Design Delegation Visits German Design Council

33 leading figures from India's design and business landscape visited Frankfurt, Darmstadt and Stuttgart from 8 to 13 June. A week filled with exchange, insights and new partnerships – a story with ...

05 June 2026

view all News