The exhibition 20 out of 25 at the Design Zentrum Hamburg will present twenty outstanding projects by up-and-coming designers from 19 March 2026.
- Graduates from Hamburg's universities will present pioneering designs from all design disciplines
- Including: a transformation concept for empty aircraft hangars, a piece of seating furniture that creates additional seating space when you sit down and a modular light guidance system for Alster walkways
- On show are digital and physical works, including two short films and an immersive installation
- Teachers from all of Hamburg's design universities had previously nominated the best graduates from their year, who were then able to apply
- After the vernissage on 19 March, the exhibition will be open daily from 20-29 March free of charge, accompanied by a supporting programme
Hamburg, 11 March 2026: From product and interior design to motion design: With 20 out of 25, the Design Zentrum - the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft's location initiative for the design industry - is bringing together outstanding graduation projects by up-and-coming designers. With their designs, the graduates address relevant social issues and explore progressive, ecological possibilities in terms of both form and materiality. Teachers from nine Hamburg universities had previously nominated the best graduates from their year. They were then invited to apply for the exhibition. The result is a diverse exhibition with objects, room installations, textiles, audiovisual works, print products and much more.
These talents will be honoured
Charlotte Engelke (*2002) researches materials that change shape during use. From this, the AMD graduate developed a variable stool that creates an additional seat when sitting down and thus creates space for encounters.
Lola-Mae Knies-Wepler (*2001), an AMD graduate, presents a model of her specially developed luminaire that guides people safely and intuitively along the Alster while leaving birds and insects undisturbed.
Andrea Wandinger (*1998) has illustrated a non-fiction picture book that looks at the social relevance of urban parks from a global perspective. The HAW graduate makes parks tangible as active spaces of opportunity for young people in the cities of tomorrow.
Joya Gribbe (*2001) and Hannes Gebhardt (*2002) show an immersive intervention on the subject of drugs. The KW duo focuses on experience and self-reflection rather than instruction. Consumption, repression and responsibility can be experienced as a "watcher" or "player".
Florian Buß (*2002), a graduate of AMD, has designed a transformation concept for a former airbase in Oldenburg. Empty aircraft hangars are being transformed into a modern neighbourhood that combines living, working and culture.
Otis Jänisch (*1999) deals with the emotional inner life of a trans* person in his surrealistic graphic novel. The story of the DFI graduate is divided into two opposing acts, which are bound separately in the same cover.
Stefanie Schneider (*1981), a graduate of the HfbK, has developed a sound-absorbing room divider made of mushroom mycelium. The system enables the flexible design of open-plan layouts and combines ecological material quality with design precision.
Also taking part are Annette Schmid (HAW), Donya Roustaei (UE), Dorina Vera Wagner (KW), Jeanie Brell (HfbK), Ludger De Luise (HAW), Malte Begrow (JAK), Sarah Sophie Stubbe (UE), Smilla Sund (BU), Solveigh Tews (UE), Svenja Lühr (HAW), Vera Sergeew-Arndt (HTK), Viktoria Knutas (UE) and Vivien Aban (DFI).
"There is a lot of young design talent in Hamburg. Our 20 out of 25 exhibition shows this diversity and at the same time gives graduates the chance to be seen - by the industry and beyond. In the end, the whole city benefits from this." Laura Rohloff, Head of the Design Centre Hamburg
"Every year, the graduates focus on very different perspectives in their projects. This not only shows that new trends are being created in design, but also the sensitivity and strength with which young designers trace the current zeitgeist." Annika Fitz, Curator and Project Manager Design Centre Hamburg
