Connecting People. Driving Exchange.
Are you interested in cross-industry dialogue and new insights from the world of design? This is exactly why we regularly bring the members of the German Design Council Foundation together. With expert groups on topics such as the circular economy, innovation, and trade mark and design law, along with online talk rounds or events hosted by or for our foundation members.
Innovative Impulses for the Future of Design: A Visit to HEWI at ISH
Members' Meeting
How can design help address societal challenges? This question was at the core of our member meeting at ISH. Philipp Fechner, Head of the HEWI Competence Center + Architecture Germany, shared insights into HEWI’s collaboration with Barbie and its latest developments. Once again, engaging directly with our guests on-site highlighted how our network sparks new ideas and reinforces design as a catalyst for sustainable solutions.
Expert Circle Design for Circular Economy
FESTO
Design drives the circular economy forward
The Expert Circle on Design for Circular Economy at FESTO, a member of the German Design Council, underscored a crucial point: future-focused companies view design as a key driver of sustainable transformation. FESTO, a global leader in automation, control technology, and technical education, is actively shaping the markets of tomorrow with 35,600 catalogue products and a customer base spanning 300,000 worldwide.
During this Expert Circle, participants engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the strategic application of design for sustainable innovation. Key topics included the practical implementation of the four R-strategies (ReUse, RePair, ReFurbish, and ReCycle), as well as the critical role of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) in promoting transparency and efficiency. To conclude, FESTO shared insights into its pioneering BioCellFactory technology, which leverages algae as a sustainable resource.
First Circular Design Clinic
A new format by German Design Council x Indeed Innovation
How circular is your design? That's exactly what we wanted to find out at the first Circular Design Clinic on 27 November in Hamburg. Our new event format focussed on practice: we dedicated a day to improving your product in line with circular design and the new European Ecodesign Regulation. Participants were able to benefit from the expertise of our co-host and foundation member Karel J. Golta (Indeed Innovation) and discuss with representatives from Lufthansa Technik, Tchibo and Johnson&Johnson as well as many other exciting guests.
When: 27 November 9 am to 6 pm
Where: Schopenstehl 15, 20095 Hamburg
GDC - Members Talk
The online discussion panel that connects business and design, covering a range of topics from innovation and branding to digitalisation. After an opening keynote, the speakers will address questions from the audience.
22 May 2025 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. Sustainable materials as a game changer in design with Joan Miquel García Martínez, Head of Arfinio® at Covestro – Register now!
12 June 2025 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. Brand, Added Value, Multi-branding with Matthias Oetting , Marketing Director, Hettich Marketing- und Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG – Register now!
4 September 2025 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. with Hartmut Schürg, Chief Brand & Design Officer, RECARO Holding GmbH – Register now!
25 September 2025 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. with Anja Komorr-Kroeker, Head of Corporate Identity at Dräger and Christian Liebelt, UX Design Manager and Design Strategist – Register now!
25 January 2024 / 3.00 - 4.00 p.m. “Brand Identity through Design“, with Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design, EMENA
1 February 2024 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. “From the idea to the (finished product for the) customer”, with Jan Delfs, Head of Global Design, Vorwerk SE & Co. KG
14 March 2024 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. "Autumn/Winter 25/26 Colour and Materials – Trends and Inspiration”, with Lauren Chiu, Head of Colour and Material Trends, Stylus
21 March 2024 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. "Circular economy as a driver of transformation", with Martin Böhringer, Marketing Director, Object Carpet GmbH
25 April 2024 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. "From Creator to Curator? How artificial intelligence (AI) is changing design - and the opportunities it presents”, with Marko Thorhauer, Executive Creative Director & Design Principal, IBM iX
16 May 2024 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. "World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain - What can we expect? What happens behind the scenes", with Olaf E. Ginter, Director Programme & Strategy WDC 2026, GDC
17 October 2024 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. with RAL – "From tradition to inspiration: Successful transformation of the RAL FARBEN brand", with Markus Frentrop, Head of RAL FARBEN
14 November 2024 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. "The Bosch brand in virtual reality: a digital space as a style guide for VR and XR" with Jörg Heidrich, Manager Digital Brand & User Experience, Corporate Design - Robert Bosch GmbH, Nicole Kuderer, Creative Director and Sven Köppel, Digital Strategist - wirDesign communication AG
5 December 2024 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. ‘Sustainability and architectural lighting’ with Christian von Sassen Managing Director (COO) mawa design and MBN GmbH
27 February 2025 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. "Creativity vs. artificial intelligence: legal challenges and perspectives for the creative industries" with Dr Christoph Matras, lawyer, FPS Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG
24 April 2025 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. ‘Brand in times of transformation: strategies for a sunny future’ with Julia Stolz, Head of Brand, SMA Solar Technology AG
8 May 2025 / 2.00 - 3.00 p.m. "Next Level Product Design: Uniform design for the machines of the future" - How GEA harmonises the look and feel of its machines, with Jemir Shaini, Senior Brand Manager and Winfried Recker, Vice President Brand Stewardship
Expert Circles
The event format that delves deeper. Participants gain insights into current issues and best practice examples, visit foundation companies, and benefit from expert knowledge. The Expert Circles facilitate exchange on the following topics: Circular Economy, Brand Management, Design & Innovation, and Brand & Design Law.
Expert Circle – Design for Circular Economy
What role does Circular Design play as an elementary building block for economic efficiency and competitive advantages? Which environmental policy issues can be solved with it? The meetings of the Expert Circle Design for Circular Economy provide answers. This is where the member companies of our foundation exchange ideas about the transformative power of design.
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19 January 2024 / 10.30 – 15.30 p.m., at Idea.lab Covestro, Leverkusen
28 May 2024 / 12.00 - 17.30 p.m., at Shift GmbH, Falkenberg
10 October 2024 / 10.00 - 17.30 p.m., at vepa the furniture factory, Frankfurt am Main
27 November 2024 / 09.00 - 18.00 p.m., Circular Design Clinic | German Design Council x Indeed Innovation, Hamburg
12 February 2025 / 12.00 - 17.00 p.m., at Festo
Expert Circle – Brand Management
What role does brand management play as a key factor for economic success and sustainable competitive advantages? How can best practices and innovative approaches in brand strategy contribute to strengthening the position of companies in the long term? Answers are provided by the meetings of the Expert Circle Brand Management, where the member companies of our foundation exchange practical examples and successful strategies.
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Expert Circle – Design and Innovation
What power does design have to drive forward ideas for the future and shape change? The Expert Circle - Design + Innovation provides the answers. Exchange on current topics and challenges strengthens cross-industry networking and innovative power.
28 October 2025 / at Blanco
Design Insights
The event series that provides new insights. Exhibitions, lectures, workshops and company visits bring design to life. And bring together creatives, decision-makers and design enthusiasts.
24 October 2024 – Regional ORGATEC Foundation Meeting @Wilkhahn, Cologne
12 June 2024 / 5.00 - 9.00 p.m. – A Visit to Erik Spiekermann's printing studio, Hacking Gutenberg/Berlin
18 March 2025 / 16.30 - 18.00 - Regional Foundation Meeting HEWI @ISH, Frankfurt
