With a playful approach

"GayBossyGott" won a Gold Nail in the "Publication Design" category and a Silver Nail in the "Experiential Design" category. The project injected fresh energy into design education, which is often characterized by methodical and purpose-driven approaches. Instead of using classic processes like Design Thinking or Double Diamond, the work relied on chance as a creative catalyst. Twenty-five design students cast aside rationality and deliberately ventured into the unplanned. This playful approach was particularly evident in the writing process: titles and subheadings were created under time pressure using alphabet cookies, while texts emerged from random finds—ranging from dreams and overheard conversations to Dadaist poems and spontaneous quotes from social media feeds. The project celebrated the ease of design and the creative madness far removed from conventions, and asked with a wink: Who needs AI when you have wildly collected inspiration?

"Die Wahlkneipe" (The Election Pub) has earned a spot on the shortlist in the "Experiential Design" category. In the super election year of 2024, Chérise Barthel and Lea Noa Wäcken chose a practical approach: Instead of classic poster campaigns, they sought direct dialogue on site – in Saxony, in rural areas. After intensive research in Chemnitz and the surrounding area, they developed a scalable election festival concept that promotes low-threshold and community-oriented political participation. The centerpiece is the "election pub", a mobile arcade machine where the current election compass can be "played" together – a low-threshold impulse for encounters and discussion. Featuring a design that is deliberately unpretentious and typical of the region, the project draws on local festival traditions while creating a space for exchange between young and old. The pilot phase demonstrated that the festival concept successfully encourages dialogue and fosters a sense of community—in a way that is both fun and uncomplicated.