As part of the World Design Capital (WDC) Frankfurt Rhine-Main 2026 – under the overarching theme ‘Design for Democracy – Atmospheres for a Better Life’ – the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology at the Hochschule Niederrhein (FB 07) launched a multi-part series of events.
The projects combine traditional trade, socio-political discourse and forward-looking design approaches to shed light on the role of design in shaping social processes.
1. The dialogue workshop: “water connects – Teilhabe durch Co-Design”
The series kicked off with an interactive dialogue workshop on 22 April 2026 at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Frankfurt am Main, where various workshops were offered, inviting visitors to experience design as a collaborative and democratic process.
2. The excursion: “A Cry for Democracy”
This was followed on 12 June 2026 by an activist excursion entitled A Cry for Democracy – on the consequences of the loss of trade trades and trade knowledge. The event began at the MAK in Frankfurt am Main and led across the Eiserner Steg directly to Frankfurt’s theatre workshops. Through the excursion, participants drew attention to the massive cuts to cultural funding that are threatening theatre companies in Germany and Austria. The focus was on the urgent call for the preservation and ‘re-valuation’ of trade expertise. The loss of this specialist textile knowledge not only jeopardises our cultural heritage, but also the diversity of art forms in dance, theatre and opera – and, ultimately, the economy and culture of our society.
3. The exhibition: ‘Design for Democracy – Young Talents at Work’
As the crowning finale and synthesis of this creative exploration, the exhibition‘Design for Democracy –Young Talents at Work’ at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) presents selected, forward-looking design projects by young female designers. The faculty exhibition showcases innovative approaches and new perspectives, and explores the question of how design can be used as a tool for social change. The works on display by Michèle Lemper, Lilo Stephan, Chalin Hüge and Nina Becker engage deeply with democratic values, issues of social participation and social co-creation. The exhibition invites visitors to experience design as an active and indispensable contribution to an open and democratic future. From 3 to 5 July 2026, the campus opening festival will take place at the MAK: you are warmly invited – the designers will be there in person! The exhibition runs until 5 August 2026.
We see the World Design Capital 2026 in Germany as a great asset to a wide range of sustainable democratic fields and solutions within our societies across Europe, which we were able to discuss and further develop with the public and local experts.Furthermore, we have forged new networks and enjoyed wonderful shared moments that strengthen us all in our commitment to the democracy of tomorrow.
Many thanks to the WDC team and, above all, to Matthias Wagner K., Director of the MAK Frankfurt am Main, who, together with his team, brought the WDC 2026 to Germany for the first time.
Hochschule Niederrhein – Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology,
Contact: Professor Dr Marina-Elena Wachs - marina.wachs(at)hs-niederrhein.de
Discover even more projects: Textile Codes #3
