Designers on Tour

Design professionals and creatives who live or work in Hamburg and hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in design, have relevant professional experience, and possess a compelling portfolio are eligible to apply.

The excursion is particularly suited to designers whose work (at least in part or in specific projects) focuses on design that strengthens democracy and who wish to contribute their perspectives to the professional exchange—on topics such as participation, public space, education, sustainability, inclusion, health, mobility, and many more. Applications from various disciplines are welcome (e.g., communication, product, UX/UI, social, or industrial design).

The Design Zentrum Hamburg is responsible for selecting the participants (max. 6 people).

Designers on Tour costs participants EUR 100 net. This includes accommodation costs and the programme. Not included are the costs for travelling to and from the event and individual catering on site.

During the excursion, participants will gain exclusive insights into selected events, formats, and venues at the Open—including exhibitions, workshops, installations, and conferences. There will also be opportunities to network directly on-site with key figures from the regional, national, and international design scene. The goal is to gain insights into the broad spectrum of design and creative practices in Frankfurt RheinMain through exchanges with Open participants and visitors.

When applying, participants can indicate program items or locations that particularly interest them. Where possible, these preferences will be taken into account when organizing the program.

The excursion will also be designed to be as accessible as possible.

For 10 days, more than 100 studios, companies, universities and institutions in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region will open their doors. OPEN - Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain will take place from 5 to 14 June 2026 as part of the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026. It offers creatives, researchers and designers a platform to present projects, works and ideas in different formats and at different locations within the Rhine-Main region and to engage in dialogue.

The World Design Capital brings design to life as part of social, urban and cultural development under the motto "Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life".

Learn more