New Design from Düsseldorf Exhibition at NRW Forum Düsseldorf

New Design from Düsseldorf is a regular platform for young designers that showcases outstanding final projects from the academic year, reflecting the current state of design education in Düsseldorf. Selected from 300 final projects, the works on display present innovative concepts, ideas and solutions relating to contemporary social issues while demonstrating outstanding creative skills. Far more than mere academic assignments, the work on display exemplifies the independent attitudes and perspectives of these emerging young designers. Throughout the exhibition, they continually examine, redefine and reinterpret the role of design in an ever-changing society and the use of creative design methods in order to find solutions to social concerns, spark discussions and generate fresh perspectives.

In addition to intensively engaging with the exhibits and their individual display requirements, working on the exhibition and its architecture also provided an exciting opportunity for 30 students from the Faculty of Design to experiment with new ideas. With the aim of creating a more environmentally friendly and sustainable approach, the students explored using recycled leather fibres from the automotive industry alongside a natural adhesive made from milk protein (casein) and chalk to construct the exhibition furniture. The formal and aesthetic examination of fluidity combined with sustainable materials gives the exhibition space an innovative look and – in abstract form – also serves as the basis for the graphic design: New Design – New Materials.

The works on display reflect on current social issues such as identity, gender, feminism, sustainability, education, and science in innovative ways, utilizing artistic and design-oriented methods.

The exhibition is a project of the Department of Design at the Peter Behrens School of Arts at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences and Design from Düsseldorf e.V., with generous support from the exhibition’s partners: Areal Böhler, Avema, Cofermin Chemicals, design (from) düsseldorf – the supporting association of the Department of Design at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences e.V., KomKuK – Competence Center for Culture & Creative Industries of the State Capital Düsseldorf, and SIGMA System Audio-Visuell.

A catalog will be published by Slanted Publishers to accompany the exhibition.

New Design from Düsseldorf 2026
Exhibition by graduates of the Department of Design at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences

Opening hours:
June 5, 2026, 6:00 pm (opening).
June 6 - 7, 2026, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm.
June 11 - 13, 2026, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm.