Munich, 01. Juni 2026

Seven days centered on the theme “Playground of Possibilities”

• May 4–10, 2026 – the 15th edition of Munich Creative Business Week
• Germany’s largest design event – diverse and varied: with more than 220 events and program partners and over 300 speakers
• Strong presence with installations in public spaces
• Save the date: mcbw 2027 from May 10 to 16, 2027

Under the theme “Playground of Possibilities,” the 2026 Munich Creative Business Week (mcbw) invited attendees to view the future as an open space of possibilities. For seven days, Munich once again became a hub for the national and international creative and design communities. With over 220 events, more than 300 speakers, and five installations throughout the city, mcbw 2026 served as an inspiring platform for exchange, creative inspiration, and interdisciplinary encounters.

Whether exhibitions, conferences, workshops, talks, guided tours, or networking events—this year’s Design Week impressively demonstrated how design can help shape social, economic, and cultural developments. Designers, companies, universities, creatives, and interested individuals came together to test ideas, share perspectives, and jointly develop new visions.

mcbw 2026 was characterized by a new creative attitude: playful and serious at the same time, open to uncertainties, double meanings, and new ways of thinking and designing. Under the theme “Playground of Possibilities,” a space emerged where concepts could grow, ideas take shape, and the future could be actively shaped.

Four Guiding Principles as a Framework for Content

In terms of content, mcbw 2026 was guided by four interrelated principles:

•    Empowering the Creative Self – Confidence

•    Exploring the Creative Field – Freedom

•    Turning Ideas into Action – Implementation

•    Creating Visions that Enrich – Responsibility

These four guiding themes shaped the events throughout the week and served as a common thread running through talks, installations, and discussions. They were not intended as a linear checklist, but rather as a creative mindset: curious, courageous, open to experimentation, and responsible.

What a start to Design Week: The mcbw design summit 2026 

Once again, a key highlight of this year’s mcbw was the mcbw design summit at the Munich Urban Colab. Under the annual theme “Playground of Possibilities,” international designers, thought leaders, and decision-makers gathered on May 4, 2026, to develop new perspectives on the role of design at the intersection of technology, society, and creativity. 

Featured speakers included Marije Vogelzang, Hideaki Ogawa, Alice Rawsthorn, and Emmi Salonen. 

The mcbw design summit 2026 impressively demonstrated just how powerful design can be, especially in uncertain times. With nearly 400 participants at the summit and the subsequent get-together, it became clear: the desire for exchange, guidance, and shaping the future together is greater than ever.

The summit concluded in a relaxed atmosphere at the subsequent mcbw get-together: With drinks, culinary highlights, a DJ set, and interactive activities, guests had the opportunity for inspiring conversations, new encounters, and authentic networking—in keeping with this year’s theme, “Playground of Possibilities.”

For those who couldn’t attend in person, our key takeaways and highlights are now available online.

 

Read the recap now!

 

Visible throughout the city: installations and events in public spaces

In 2026, mcbw once again extended its presence far beyond traditional venues to encompass the entire urban landscape of Munich. The installations in public spaces brought design to life and fostered participation, discovery, and exchange.

Until May 17, 2026, the two interactive pavilions by the architecture collective Studio Carraldo—Capella del Suono and Delulu—were on display on the south lawn of the Alte Pinakothek. Open, experimental, and participatory, they created a space for encounters and creative experimentation.

At Rindermarkt, Studio adpa transformed the square into a walk-in artwork with a large-scale inflatable, offering a new way to experience public space. The two university containers at Viktualienmarkt and Königsplatz complemented the program with interactive experimental spaces: stories around brought narratives centered on the potato to life through spatial and interactive interventions, opening up the possibility of weaving individual perspectives into a shared narrative. Light Up transformed the container into a networked light space where light, movement, and sensors reacted to visitors, creating a collective, constantly changing field of experience.

The public spaces once again underscored the mcbw’s mission to make design visible, accessible, and directly experiential within urban society.

A platform for the entire design scene

For a week, program partners from a wide variety of fields presented their ideas, projects, and perspectives to an international audience. Once again, mcbw served as a platform for interdisciplinary exchange and a creative buzz that resonated far beyond the design industry.

The diversity of the events reflected the breadth of the design scene—from architecture and product design to digital innovations, social issues, and sustainable concepts for the future. This year’s mcbw impressively demonstrated that design connects, provides direction, and opens up new possibilities.

For instance, the Korea Institute of Design Promotion presented the exhibition Korean Design Innovators: Five Studios from Seoul, the Korea Institute of Design Promotion showcased diverse approaches to design—from physical to digital formats—and brought international perspectives to Munich. At Space to Play—Design Principles for Innovation, organized by Steelcase, experts from architecture, mobility, and corporate innovation discussed how environments can be designed to foster curiosity, creative thinking, and sustainability.

Another highlight was the evening with Konstantin Grcic INDUSTRIE / DESIGN at MAGAZIN, during which the designer spoke with design journalist Jasmin Jouhar about his new company 25KG, his experiences as a producer, and the connection between 25KG and MAGAZIN. The workshop Come & Play! Farbe und Material strategisch denken und gestalten by RAL and Gabriel invited participants to experimentally combine colors, materials, and future trends.

With The Other News, Public Possession invited local and international artists, designers, and creatives to an open exchange at the PP Space. Together with illustrator Stefan Marx, Laura Sirch (Herr & Frau Rio), Linda Nübling (Together, Gurlz with Curlz Magazine), as well as Sophie von Hartmann and Maya Bendel (Wiegand von Hartmann), founders Marvin Schuhmann and Valentino Betz discussed play, creative processes, and design in the context of this year’s theme, “Playground of Possibilities.” The interactive installation Wall in Translation – Hanfkalk erleben im Pavillon, created in the pavilion of the Milan-based collective Park in collaboration with the Chair of Architecture and Design at TUM, offered an experimental approach to architecture and materiality. The walk-through installation made of hemp-lime reinterpreted the wall—not as a boundary, but as a social space for encounter, movement, and shared experience—while also making sustainable materials and circular construction tangible.

A big thank you for mcbw 2026

mcbw 2026 was marked by energy, creativity, and a shared passion for innovation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all partners, speakers, visitors, and participants who made this week possible with their openness, ideas, and dedication.

Together, we once again transformed Munich into a vibrant Playground of Possibilities. 

Save the Date: mcbw 2027

While the encounters, conversations, and highlights of mcbw 2026 are still resonating, anticipation for the next edition is already building.

The next mcbw will take place from May 10 to 16, 2027.

Until then, it’s worth taking another look behind the scenes: The online magazine offers exciting insights and stories from our partners, complemented by the latest updates on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Munich, May 04th 2026

The mcbw design summit 2026 at this year’s Munich Creative Business Week — under the theme “Playground of Possibilities”—impressively demonstrated just how powerful design can be, especially in uncertain times. The summit’s program was structured around the four guiding principles: Empowering the Creative Self, Exploring the Creative Field, Turning Ideas into Action, and Creating Visions that Enrich. Keynotes, presentations, and panels specifically addressed these principles, bringing them to life from diverse perspectives.

Like a playground, this created a space brimming with curiosity, exchange, and a spirit of experimentation — a place where ideas could emerge, concepts take shape, and visions for a future we can shape could flourish.

On May 4, 2026, international designers, thought leaders, and decision-makers gathered at the Munich Urban Colab to develop new perspectives on the role of design at the intersection of technology, society, and creativity. With nearly 400 participants at the summit and the subsequent get-together, one thing became clear: the need for exchange, guidance, and collaborative future-shaping is greater than ever. The get-together not only provided an inspiring space for authentic networking but also—in the spirit of a playful space for possibilities—invited participants to engage in interactive add-on activities: At a print station, participants could create custom postcards; an AI-powered photo station enabled creative visual experiences; and an interactive wall with adhesive dots brought the four principles to life in a participatory way.

The Design Summit was opened by Nadine Vicentini, Managing Director of bayern design; Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy; Dr. Olaf Kranz, Director of Kreativ München; and Lisa Braun, Project Manager at mcbw, who together emphasized the importance of design as a strategic, unifying, and future-shaping force. Leonard Nima served as the day’s engaging moderator.

 

Between Play and Meaning: What design must achieve today

Whether as a creative experiment, a tool for social change, or a method for creating meaning — at the summit, design emerged as a transformative force that goes far beyond problem-solving. Especially amid the tensions of uncertainty, technological upheaval, and global challenges, one thing became clear: design creates meaning. Design opens up new possibilities.

 

Key-Take-Aways from the Design Summits

In terms of content, this year’s mcbw design summit makes it clear: Design is not merely about surfaces, form, or color choices, but serves as a key strategic function in shaping a functional and inclusive future.

The speakers’ perspectives underscore this view:

• Friedrich von Borries: AI as a tool for multiperspectivity and creative expansion
• Emmi Salonen: Creativity as a lifelong, nurturing ecosystem rather than a mere efficiency tool
• Hideaki Ogawa: Art as a social laboratory for testing new visions of the future
• Marije Vogelzang: Food and everyday experiences as instruments of design research
• Jessie Storey: The Provisional and the Collective Sketch as the Most Productive Form of Thinking
• Filippo Pagliani: Transforming the Existing into Habitable Reality and Visible Responsibility
• Alice Rawsthorn: Design as a Powerful Engine for Positive Social Change
• Roberto Verganti: Meaning Making Becomes a Core Strategic Competence

In the symbiosis of AI and artistic thinking, we must use technological tools in a targeted manner to address genuine human needs and emotional connection. The “Playground of Possibilities” invites us to find radically new solutions to complex problems through bold experimentation and playful approaches. As a lived philosophy, design confronts the major crises of our time with empathy, purpose, and the necessary willingness to take risks. Ultimately, the power of vision sets the decisive course for transforming creative energy into effective and resilient social change.

 

mcbw design summit highlight speaker

Under the first guiding principle of mcbw 2026, “Empowering the Creative Self,” Prof. Dr. Friedrich von Borries (getminds.ai) and Emmi Salonen (Studio Emmi) set the tone with their impressive keynote speeches and shed light on the role of the individual in the creative process. 

Friedrich von Borries - Multiperspectivity through AI

Prof. Dr. Friedrich von Borries is one of the most prominent voices in contemporary design theory. He has been teaching at the University of Fine Arts Hamburg since 2009, combining socio-political analysis with design practice. 

His work embodies a concept of design that does not stop at products but also considers social systems. Instead of viewing artificial intelligence as a threat, he advocates for its thoughtful use as a tool for creative expansion. AI can help make diverse perspectives visible and reduce polarization. His platform getminds.ai pursues precisely this approach.

“Many people are afraid of AI, yet it opens up new possibilities for creativity and multi-perspectivity.”

During the Design Summit, von Borries demonstrated how technological innovation and humanistic values can be combined—with analytical clarity and social responsibility.

Emmi Salonen - The Creative Ecosystem as a Model for Life

Through her studio, founded in London in 2005, Finnish designer, author, and happiness facilitator Emmi Salonen has spent many years developing an understanding of design that goes far beyond traditional questions of form. Her concept of Positive Creativity explores how design can connect people, promote well-being, and support sustainable decisions. At the center is her Creative Ecosystem: a model that views creativity as an interdependent system, influenced by movement, relationships, curiosity, and inner balance. 

“Creativity is connected to everything in our lives,” says Salonen. “To stay creative, we need nourishing impulses.” For her, this is not about efficiency or self-optimization. “My approach is not a productivity tool, but an attitude toward oneself and the world.” 

In her talk, she drew particularly on her book „Creative Wellbeing Handbook“ and combined personal experiences with scientific findings—including those from positive psychology. For her, empowerment begins with the question of how we sustain our creative energy over the long term.

 

The discussion then shifted to the principle of “Exploring the Creative Field”: Hideaki Ogawa (Ars Electronica) and Marije Vogelzang(Food Design Playground) offered fascinating insights into new creative possibilities, which were then thoroughly discussed in a joint reflection session involving all the previous speakers. 

Hideaki Ogawa - Art as a Laboratory for the Future

As Artistic Director of the Ars Electronica Futurelab in Linz, Hideaki Ogawa leads one of the world’s leading platforms at the intersection of art, technology, and society. Here, projects emerge that translate uncertainty into creative possibilities and view the lab as a space for social experimentation.  

“Possibilities in and of themselves mean nothing. The crucial question is: possibilities for what—and for whom?”  

For him, art is a place where new visions can emerge beyond routine and predictability. As Director of the Sapporo International Art Festival and Creative Director of the Civic Creative Base Tokyo, Ogawa also embodies this approach institutionally. His work demonstrates how artistic processes not only imagine the future but also make it tangible—as a collective, open, and learning practice. 

Marije Vogelzang - Food Design as a Playing Field 

Dutch designer Marije Vogelzang is one of the pioneers of food design—a discipline that views food as a material, a medium, and a cultural practice. For many years, she has been organizing exhibitions, performances, dinners, and workshops internationally. Her works, in which she explores food from a design perspective, have been presented worldwide. Food serves as a starting point for addressing complex social issues: consumption, sustainability, physicality, and social interaction.  

“Scope for creativity may sound carefree, but it is essential for creative research.”  

At the summit, Vogelzang illustrated how everyday experiences become tools for design research and knowledge creation. In her keynote address, Marije Vogelzang further illustrated her approach using practical examples from the past. A special highlight of her interactive presentation was a collaborative tasting experience—such as a tap water tasting for the entire audience—during which participants could actively test their various taste perceptions.

 

The Open Call was once again a special highlight this year. Under the theme “Voices from the Design Community,” mcbw provided a platform for six visionary minds to present their projects on the 2026 annual theme. We congratulate the winners—Catherine Spet, Eric Treske, Francesco Giordano, Joseph Steele, Sparsh Tyagi, and Julia Maria Otte — on their inspiring contributions.

 

The keynotes, held under the motto “Turning Ideas into Action,” bridged the gap between theory and practice. Jessie Storey (Steelcase) and Filippo Pagliani (Park Associati) impressively demonstrated how visionary concepts give rise to real-world solutions.

Jessie Storey - Design as the Freedom to Deviate from the Plan

There is a sense of seriousness that can only arise from a sense of lightness. Jessie Storey, Director of Product Development & Design at Steelcase, leads product development in the EMEA region—at the intersection of technology, behavior, and space. What drives her work is the conviction that playful exploration is not a preliminary step to the actual work, but its very core. For Storey, every tangible reality begins as a sketch that is just good enough to make a possibility visible. What becomes of it is decided in a collective process:  

“Momentum arises when an idea is shared, shaped together, and transforms from a single person’s sketch into a collective effort.”  

Her contribution is a plea for the provisional, the thought-aloud, the unfinished—as the most productive form of thinking.  

Filippo Pagliani - From Vision to Built Reality  

The Milan-based firm Park Associati, founded in 2000 by Filippo Pagliani and Michele Rossi, is one of the defining voices in contemporary architecture. The studio carries out projects in the fields of work, housing, and urban development—always with an eye toward existing structures, context, and transformation.  

At the Summit, Pagliani represented the firm and shared the perspective of those who translate ideas into livable reality. 

“We see our work as a playground of possibilities. An interdisciplinary team that moves with curiosity and drive across creative disciplines to shape the built environment.” 

Park Associati does not start with a blank slate, but with what already exists. Existing structures are reimagined for new uses—with an eye toward sustainability, quality of life, and long-term impact. Space thus becomes a prototype, a built idea, a visible commitment.

 

The event culminated with the theme “Creating Visions that Enrich”: Following the keynote speeches by design critic Alice Rawsthorn and Roberto Verganti, the two engaged in a compelling dialogue moderated by Max Fraser, which highlighted the ethical and social responsibility of design in shaping a future worth living.

Alice Rawsthorn - Design as a Tool for Social Change

Alice Rawsthorn is one of the most influential design critics of our time. Her books *Design as an Attitude* and *Design Emergency* (co-authored with Paola Antonelli of MoMA) are considered seminal works on the social role of design. For many years, she wrote the design column for The New York Times and shaped the public discourse on design worldwide. For her, design is not an end in itself, but an instrument of social change: “Design is a driver of change and helps us shape change of every kind—social, political, economic, cultural, technological, or ecological—in a way that has a positive impact on us.” 

During the Design Summit, Alice invited attendees to look beyond aesthetic questions and understand design as a cultural and political force.

Roberto Verganti - Beyond Userism - Design as Meaning Making 

Innovation researcher Roberto Verganti is a professor at the Stockholm School of Economics and a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School. Verganti’s books are among the most influential works in the field of design-driven innovation. His work demonstrates how organizations can strategically leverage design to foster cultural relevance and long-term impact.

Verganti calls for a shift in perspective: design should not be reduced to user needs, but must create meaning. This ability is becoming central, especially in the age of AI: “We must stop viewing design solely as problem-solving,” he says. “Meaning-making is becoming a core competency.”

 

A Day Full of Exchange

The summit was not just a stage, but a space for dialogue: through keynotes, panels, and discussions, an open exchange took place between the worlds of design, business, research, and politics. The unique atmosphere was fueled by active participation, lively debate, and spontaneous encounters—and carried over into the evening get-together.

The mcbw design summit 2026 demonstrates: The future does not emerge in a linear fashion—but through experimentation, questioning, and collaborative creation.

The Playground of Possibilities sees itself not merely as a place, but as an attitude: open, curious, and ready to break new ground. An attitude that invites us to question the familiar, shift perspectives, and understand design as a collaborative process.

A big thank you to everyone involved

With contributions by: Alice Rawsthorn, Roberto Verganti, Marije Vogelzang, Friedrich von Borries, Emmi Salonen, Hideaki Ogawa, Filippo Pagliani, Jessie Storey 

Moderators: Leonhard Nima & Max Fraser

*Images can be found in the press materials for mcbw 2026*

Munich, April 23rd 2026

It’s about to beginn: mcbw 2026 and exclusive press tour

• May 4–10, 2026 

• 15th anniversary of mcbw

• 222 program and collaboration partners

• More than 200 events

• Over 250 speakers – local and international

mcbw 2026 is in the starting blocks: In just a few weeks, Munich will once again transform into a vibrant hub for the design scene. From May 4 to 10, 2026, Germany’s largest design event will celebrate its 15th anniversary—with a diverse program that invites visitors to participate, discover, and network. 

 

Press Highlight: Playground Walk 

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

bayern design and Sweet Communication invite you to an exclusive press tour on May 5, 2026. The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Viktualienmarkt and then winds its way through the city, stopping at selected mcbw locations. At each stop, participants will provide insights into the projects, processes, and background.

• Start at 9:30 a.m. at the Viktualienmarkt: Kickoff with coffee and croissants

• Viktualienmarkt: Presentation of the stories around pop-up container by students and professors

• Rindermarkt: Tour of the inflatable, info point, and design shop with bayern design

• Königsplatz: Presentation of the Light Up pop-up container by students and professors

• Lawn in front of the Pinakothek der Moderne: Presentation of the interactive installation TUM Wall in Translation – Experience Hemp Lime in the pavilion by students and professors

• Gallery at the Pinakothek der Moderne: Exhibition ODD82 – Home Between Two Worlds

• South Lawn of the Alte Pinakothek: Viewing of the installations by Studio Carraldo, Cappella del Suono and Delulu

 

Click HERE to register for the press walk

We look forward to receiving your registration soon; space is limited.

 

Playground of Possibilities – Design as an Open Process

This year’s theme invites us to view design as an open process: a space for experimentation, new perspectives, and bold visions. The four guiding principles—Empowering the Creative Self, Exploring the Creative Field, Turning Ideas into Action, and Creating Visions that Enrich—provide direction and open the door to the topic. 

At the heart of the event is a diverse program of exhibitions, installations, workshops, conferences, and networking events that brings design to life—in public spaces as well as in institutions and studios.

 

Get Involved & Discover – mcbw 2026 Formats 

mcbw brings together a wide variety of participants and creates spaces for exchange and experimentation

• Interactive installations throughout Munich’s urban landscape

• Exhibitions: mcbw public spaces, experimental formats in urban settings (e.g., pop-up containers) that bring design to life

• Workshops: hands-on sessions with renowned designers

• Conferences, lectures & talks: discussions on design, innovation, and society featuring international experts

• Networking events: dialogue between the creative industries, partners, and the public

Munich, 31. March 2026

May 04. – 10. 2026 I mcbw 2026

• mcbw formats: public space, pop-up, masterclass, design summit, design shop, hub & base

• mcbw design summit on May 4 at Munich Urban Colab

• Events by program partners

Design for all – mcbw opens its doors

 

mcbw public space x Studio Carraldo

With two interactive pavilions, the architectural collective Studio Carraldo transforms the south lawn of the Alte Pinakothek. Open, experimental, and inviting participation.

The Cappella del Suono creates a space that can be experienced both acoustically and visually: Sound rods of varying lengths form a delicate acoustic structure and create a constantly shifting interplay of light and shadow. The pavilion is conceived as permeable architecture—open enough to remain part of the landscape, yet clearly defined as an architectural space. It responds to the presence of people and makes them part of the structure. Here, architecture is understood not as a static object, but as an individual experience.

The second pavilion, DELULU, takes up the mcbw’s annual theme and translates it into a walk-through labyrinth that invites visitors to embrace a playful sense of disorientation. The term DELULU (derived from “delusional,” meaning illusory) describes a playful form of escapism in a complex world marked by crises. Instead of resigning oneself to fate, imagination becomes a strategy for self-empowerment. The installation references the “hyperobjects” described by Timothy Morton—phenomena whose scale exceeds our perception—and translates this state into a spatial experience: a shifting labyrinth in which visitors move between isolation and encounter, silence and movement.

Both installations are conceived as experimental spaces that open up new avenues of perception, interaction, and perspectives on architecture and design—as a “Playground of Possibilities.”

The installations will be on view until May 17, 2026, on the south lawn of the Alte Pinakothek.

 

mcbw pop-up x stories around

Charlotte, Linda, Vigor, Achill, Belana, Annabelle, Adretta, Bintje, Linus, Blaue Anneliese – which potato are you?

We celebrate diversity – and not just when it comes to potatoes. Come by, explore, get involved, and meet new people. 

The mcbw pop-up, a glass exhibition container in the city center, will be hosted this year by students from IU Internationale Hochschule. The starting point is a familiar symbol of the Viktualienmarkt: the potato.

Versatile, deeply rooted in the local community, and once a “migrant” herself, she becomes a storyteller of tales about origin, identity, and diversity. Inside the container, these stories are collected, shared, and brought into the urban space through tactile, visual, and interactive means. 

With humor and conviction, the students translate their observations into portraits, sound, material, and space. The result is a sensory, interactive experience and a plea for a cityscape beyond “monoculture.” 

A special highlight is the sound installation “Fremd ist der Fremde nur in der Fremde” (The stranger is only a stranger in a foreign land), which can be heard in the immediate vicinity of the fountain figures of Karl Valentin and Liesl Karlstadt—a subtle dialogue between place, history, and the present: “stories around” is realized by an interdisciplinary team of students from the Media Design and Product Design programs at IU Internationale Hochschule.

 

mcbw pop-up x Light Up

A space on Munich’s Königsplatz filled with light, movement, and togetherness, where individual moments merge into a quietly pulsating, collective space of light.

Light Up unites several nodes into an interconnected field of experience: short, independent modules that respond to proximity, movement, and cooperation, feeding their light signals upward into a shared structure. 

Visitors encounter poetic micro-interactions (e.g., glowing origami elements that react to proximity and distance), cooperative games (e.g., solving puzzles together) involving temporal synchronization and spatial coordination, as well as systemic shifts in perspective, in which plant-based materials and sensors make unusual aspects audible. This creates an interplay between individual exploration and interaction among visitors; the sum of multiple contributions subtly emerges in the floating light space above.  

Developed by students in the Design for Digital Futures (M.A.) – DFDF program at the Faculty of Design at Technischen Hochschule Nürnberg – an international, interdisciplinary program.

 

mcbw masterclass

For the first time, the mcbw masterclass series offers high school students, college students, and young professionals up to age 30 the opportunity to learn from established designers and engage in personal dialogue with them. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants will gain firsthand insight at each studio into what it means to be a designer today, the qualities required for the profession, and the challenges they may face.

On board: Steffi Bauer, Mirko Borsche, Michael Geldmacher und Stefanie Kubanek, Ana Relvão und Gerhardt Kellermann

To ensure that the limited number of 20 spots is filled fairly and to guarantee equal opportunity, please submit your application by April 10, 2026. The selection process will take place in calendar week 16.

 

mcbw design summit

May 4, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Munich Urban CoLab

The mcbw design summit is one of the highlights of mcbw and brings together designers, creators, and thought leaders from around the world.

The full-day conference features internationally renowned speakers such as Alice Rawsthorn, Marije Vogelzang, and Roberto Verganti. In talks and panel discussions, they will explore current trends, visionary ideas, and interdisciplinary perspectives centered on this year’s theme, “Playground of Possibilities.”

Following the event, an additional mcbw get-together will provide an opportunity for networking and a chance to wind down the day. 

The program spans a wide range of topics, from creative wellbeing and design as a mindset to AI, design-driven innovation, and architecture. Theory and practice intertwine, opening up new perspectives on design.

Seats are limited—early registration is recommended to secure access to talks, panels, lunch, and networking.

>> tickets <<

 

mcbw hub x mcbw design shop

Premiere: The mcbw hub becomes a design shop! The pop-up store at the Ruffinihaus features a curated selection of unique design pieces inspired by this year’s theme—curated by FrischesDesign / Edition MUC.

The pop-up store is open from Tuesday, April 28, through Saturday, May 9, 2026 (excluding Sundays and holidays) and invites you to discover exceptional design, find new favorite pieces, and explore the diversity of the regional design scene. The mcbw hub at the Ruffinihaus also houses the official mcbw info point: Here you can pick up the latest magazine, get information from our media partners, and find answers to all your questions about the festival.

 

mcbw base x Creative Morning Sessions

The popular Creative Morning Sessions are returning in a new format at mcbw base on Gabelsbergerstraße. Starting May 5, you can kick off your day every morning at 8:30 a.m. with talks, breakfast, coffee, and inspiring conversations.

 

mcbw base x Andreas Enslin LösungsNetz

May 5, 2026 | 8:30–9:30 a.m.

A session with Andreas Enslin on Tuesday will explore the impact of AI on creativity, design, and product development.

How will the worlds of design, industry, commerce, and society respond to new knowledge technologies? And what will happen to those whose success has so far been built on their creativity, experience, and knowledge?

 

mcbw base x Designworks, A BMW Group Company

May 6, 2026 | 8:30–9:30 a.m.

In the Wednesday session, Designworks, A BMW Group Company, a subsidiary of the BMW Group, offers a behind-the-scenes look at four current projects: a fine-dining restaurant in Munich, a charging park that sets a new aesthetic standard for electric mobility, a collaboration to celebrate an automotive brand’s racing history, and a consulting project centered on the creative vision of an iconic amplifier manufacturer.

 

mcbw base x Efrat Friedland 

materialscout

May 7, 2026 | 8:30–9:30 a.m.

An inspiring talk by Efrat Friedland on the creative use of materials sheds light on hidden properties and demonstrates that ideas can flourish even under pressure.

 

mcbw base x Viki Lund

Studio Viki Lund – Mut Machen 

May 8, 2026 | 8:30–9:30 a.m.

In her talk, Viki Lund discusses how her passion, curiosity, and the courage to take an active role in shaping her future led to the creation of her creative studio, whose unique concepts are defined by process and momentum.

 

A first look at the program for the mcbw 2026 partners!

 

MAGAZIN

Konstantin Grcic at MAGAZIN

May 7, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

MAGAZIN München

Kardinal-Faulhaber-Straße 11

80333 Munich

An evening with Konstantin Grcic at MAGAZIN: In conversation, he discusses his new company 25KG, the collaboration with MAGAZIN, and the dialogue between design and industrial manufacturing. The “THINGS”—the products Konstantin Grcic designs for his own label, 25KG—come across as raw, unpretentious, and rather laconic. They are available exclusively in the 25KG shop and now also at MAGAZIN. From design through production to distribution, 25KG handles everything in-house. “THINGS” are designs that do not shy away from controversy and explore the limits of what is supposedly feasible. Traces of production may remain visible; function is the starting point for creating possibilities. At 25KG, too, serial production remains a central reference point—and new scope for creativity opens up in the dialogue between industrial manufacturing and design. In conversation with design journalist Jasmin Jouhar, Grcic talks about his experiences as a producer—and about what connects 25KG and MAGAZIN.

 

CZECH CENTER

Beyond Paper Plane – Kinderbuchausstellung

May 5, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Museum Brandhorst

Theresienstr. 35a

80333 Munich

More Than Just Flat Paper: Extraordinary Picture Book Art from the Czech Republic. Illustrated books that straddle the line between three-dimensional objects and standalone works of art: A journey through the contemporary Czech children’s book scene—from leporellos and pop-up books to paper collages and trompe-l’œil. 

Many Czech illustrators and artists joyfully experiment with materials that are rather unusual for books, such as sheet metal, textiles, photographs, or found objects, and push the usual boundaries of the picture book format with their creations. At the Beyond Paper Plane children’s book exhibition, such playful works are presented in banana boxes. Pretty much everyone in the Czech Republic who has ever moved with a lot of books knows and appreciates this practical and sustainable method of transporting books, which is available for free at every supermarket. The design principle of the boxes also evokes the Czech pop-up fairy tale books by Rudolf Lukeš (1923–1976) and Vojtěch Kubašta (1914–1992), the most famous export product of the then Czechoslovakian publisher Artia.

 

STEELCASE

Steelcase Germany, Munich

Brienner Strasse 42

80333 Munich

 

Play with Space

Eine praktische Design-Erfahrung der Sinne 

May 5, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

In the Play with Space co-creation workshop, participants explore how spaces are perceived through the senses. In groups guided by designers, they experiment with objects, lighting, and atmosphere to develop a spatial experience. The workshop is led by Penghao Shan (Steelcase) and Christiane Bausback (N+P Innovation Design) and draws on the design philosophies of both organizations.

Following the workshop is the optional panel discussion “Space to Play – Design Principles for Innovation,” which will also take place at LINC Munich starting at 5:00 p.m. and is hosted by S+W and Steelcase. The day concludes with networking, light refreshments, and drinks.

 

Space to Play

Designprinzipien für Innovation

May 5, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

"Space to Play – Design Principles for Innovation” brings together perspectives from architecture, corporate innovation, and design, and explores how environments can be designed to foster curiosity, creative thinking, and sustainability.

The evening will feature a keynote address and a panel discussion, co-hosted by Steelcase and S+W and moderated by Dr. Dewi Schönbeck, Managing Director at Steelcase. 

Using examples from the fields of the workplace, architecture, and mobility, the discussion will explore how design principles can be applied to spaces in concrete ways to advance innovation and sustainable solutions.

 

RAL – Painting workshop
IDX 81 München Gabriel Showroom

August-Everding-Straße 25

81671 Munich

 

Come & Play! 

Farbe und Material strategisch denken und gestalten

May 5, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

May 5, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

How do color and material influence the perception, emotions, and use of spaces and products—and how can these levels of impact be consciously and strategically shaped?

 

The Come & Play! workshop is dedicated to exploring precisely this question. In a collaboration between RAL and Gabriel, participants combine color systems, future-oriented ideas, and various textures and materials into an integrated design process.

The starting point is the trend report RAL COLOUR FEELING 2027+ Envision and Craft, which serves as a future- and needs-oriented framework. Participants then engage in experimental work using the specially developed RAL Trendbox: colors and materials are combined, tested, questioned, and analyzed for their impact.

Together, a bridge is built between insight, tool, and application—in the spirit of a “Playground of Possibilities.”

 

Come & See!

Farb- und Materialcollagen -Ergebnisse aus dem Workshop

May 6, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

May 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Following the “Come & Play!” workshops, the Gabriel Showroom will remain open for two more days: What effect is created when color and material are deliberately considered together?

Following the “Come & Play! Thinking strategically about and designing with color and material” workshops held as part of mcbw 2026, RAL invites to view the color and material collages created during the workshops.

The exhibited works provide insight into the participants’ creative process: Visitors are invited to view the results as part of “Come & See!” and reflect on the various color and material combinations. 

At the same time, the open Gabriel Showroom offers a space for discussion with Gabriel about textiles and color, as well as products and potential applications.

 

ODD82

ODD82 Exhibition – Zuhause zwischen zwei Welten

May 5–10, 2026

Galerie an der Pinakothek der Moderne / Barbara Ruetz

Gabelsbergerstraße 7

80333 Munich

What does “home” mean when you live between cultures? The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on their own concept of home.

ODD82 explores the tension between the unfamiliar and the familiar—between what was once odd and has since become ordinary. ODD82 stands for “Odd + Ordinary” and describes a state in which the unfamiliar is no longer an exception but part of everyday life. 

In this exhibition, seven designers of Korean descent who now live and work in Munich examine the concept of home from a transcultural perspective.

 

Opening Day

May 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

ODD82 invites you to the opening of “집 / At Home”: Through form, material, repetitive gestures, and temporal layers, the exhibition quietly explores how the concept of home takes shape and feels today.

At the opening, we invite you to join the artists in a shared moment where diverse perspectives and experiences come together.

 

Seoul trifft München: Neue Perspektiven im Design

May 5–8, 2026

Galerie an der Pinakothek der Moderne / Barbara Ruetz

Gabelsbergerstraße 7

80333 Munich

Experience the dynamism of contemporary Korean design: Five studios from Seoul are presenting their work in Munich.

The exhibition offers insights into diverse design approaches, creative processes, and current projects—presented in both physical and digital formats.

 

Vernissage

May 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

An opening night provides an opportunity for exchange, conversation, and new connections, bringing together five design studios from Seoul with Korean designers based in Munich as part of the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP)’s “Korean Design Innovators”program: BKID, HEAZ, Unichest, Second White, and BDCI.

The program features short presentations by the studios, offering insights into their working methods, processes, and current projects across various design fields. The program is complemented by contributions from Korean designers based in Munich.

The evening concludes with an informal networking session, providing an opportunity for exchange among the creative community, designers, and industry representatives.

 

BEDA DESIGN FORUM

Beyond Thoughtless Design

May 8, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Bayerisches Staatsministerium Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung, Energie
Prinzregentenstraße 28

80538 Munich

The BEDA Design Forum in Munich explores how design, politics, and accessibility interact—beyond what is expected.

Under the motto “Stop sleepwalking products and services into existence” the forum invites participants to take a closer look at the processes and decisions that come into play long before a design is released.

The focus is on how design practice, politics, and accessibility interact. The program highlights where unreflective standard solutions creep in and what conditions are necessary for designers to work more consciously and inclusively.

Participants will hear presentations from experts representing national design organizations, public institutions, academia, and industry. Topics include current design policy in Europe, new approaches to accessibility, and examples of how visible and invisible decisions influence innovation and society.

In addition, the forum provides a space for exchange. Participants can discuss policy frameworks, address challenges, and share practical experiences that connect strategic considerations with day-to-day design work.

 

GENSLER PARIS: Talk

Urban Playground: Bau dein München – mit KI

May 6, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Gensler Munich 

Rindermarkt 5

80331 Munich

Through open discussion and an interactive AI session, GENSLER PARIS is developing compelling ideas for Munich’s downtown area. Munich is known for its exceptional quality of life and vibrant public life. How can Munich move beyond its traditional role as a shopping destination and offer a wider variety of urban experiences throughout the day? What might a more playful, adaptable, and climate-conscious downtown look like?

This workshop explores the idea of the city as an urban playground—a place that invites discovery, encounters, and new forms of public life.

From temporary events and cultural programming to shaded streets and green spaces: it is often small design interventions that can bring about lasting changes in how the city is perceived and used.

 

SCHNITZER&

Schnitzer& Studio

Lindwurmstraße 95a

80337 Munich

How is AI influencing design and construction? How can AI be integrated into existing value chains? Schnitzer& Studio explores these questions with experts from the fields of technology, law, and data analysis.

AI is transforming the way data is analyzed, images and text are created, and digital content is generated. Currently, there are hardly any projects that do not involve AI in some form. But these new possibilities also raise legal and ethical questions: Who owns AI-generated content? How does AI handle personal data?

In this two-part event, experts from the fields of technology, law, and data analysis will discuss the opportunities, risks, and specific use cases surrounding AI.

An exhibition featuring AI-generated works by Münchner Gold GmbH (AI image creation, photography, and post-production) accompanies the event.

 

Das macht jetzt die KI. Visualisierung

May 5 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Das macht jetzt die KI. Chancen und Risiken

May 7 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

 

AGILE ROBOTS 

Human(oid) centered design - The design process behind Agile ONE

May 7, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Agile Robots SE

Plinganserstraße 134

81369 Munich

A humanoid robot is—both technologically and emotionally—one of the most complex products with which we humans can interact.

This makes its design all the more crucial to human acceptance. It’s not just about its outward appearance and industrial design, but above all about interaction design. How can we successfully foster a sense of closeness to a machine in the workplace that requires genuine collaboration?

These and many other questions need to be answered. AGILE ROBOTS would like to present some of the answers this evening and, at the same time, show what the process leading up to them looked like.

In a panel discussion, open questions will be addressed by in-house experts and others.

Agile ONE will be on site live this evening. Additionally, there will be an interactive demo case where attendees can experience the robot firsthand and try out its interactions for themselves.

 

Studio E Y P D & A

Designkiosk Kulturzentrum LUISE

May 5, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Kulturzentrum LUISE 

Ruppertstraße 5

80337 Munich

Mannheim-based industrial designer and artist Emre Yazar (Studio EYPD & A) has developed a “kiosk concept” and explores the theme “Playground of Possibilities” artistically in his workshop. 

How can a kiosk spark a new desire to create? The unknown is also a material to be worked with. Participants will experiment, stumble, laugh, and start over. This is “play art” created through collaboration with many.

 

*Bildmaterial aller Programm Beispiele ist unter Pressematerial zur mcbw 2026 zu finden*

Munich, 25. February 2026

Save the Date

May 4, 2026 | mcbw | at Munich Urban Colab

A new energy is shaping design: playful, sensual, and relevant – especially in times of uncertainty. The unknown opens up spaces to reimagine the future. Between confidence and doubt, a creative mode emerges that allows for breaks and has the courage to do things differently.

For 2026, mcbw’s annual theme is “Playground of Possibilities”– a deliberately changing theme that opens up new perspectives, provides inspiration, and re-energizes the diversity of the design landscape each year. The mcbw invites you to step onto this very playground: a place for experimentation and new beginnings, for stumbling and moving forward – where ideas emerge, concepts take shape, and visions for a future we can shape grow.

With the Design Summit 2026, mcbw once again kicks off with its most significant highlight: On Monday, May 4, 2026, international designers, creators, and leaders will gather at the Munich Urban Colab to shed light on current developments, societal challenges, and interdisciplinary design perspectives.

A day full of inspiration, exchange, and new perspectives 

The Design Summit is more than just a stage for speakers – it’s a space that visitors actively help shape. The full-day conference features keynotes, talks, and panels that are meant not just to be listened to, but to be thought through and discussed. Participants will experience a program that imparts knowledge, fosters exchange, and creates space for new ideas and perspectives.

The dynamic atmosphere encourages questions, active participation, and spontaneous dialogue. To wrap up the day, mcbw invites you to a relaxed get-together with drinks and snacks starting at 6 p.m. – for informal conversations and inspiring encounters.

Design. Dialogue. Future: Setting the Course Together

At the mcbw design summit, visitors can expect an immersive experience brimming with creative inspiration, in-depth expertise, and direct interaction. Renowned experts and visionaries from the design world will share their personal perspectives, experiences, and visions for the future.

The summit brings together a diverse community: designers, product developers, researchers, and decision-makers from politics, government agencies, marketing, and communications. This diversity opens up unique opportunities to network, meet potential partners, and gain valuable inspiration for your own projects.

Exchanges that take shape – ideas that endure

At the heart of the summit are the conversations: open, in-depth, and often surprising dialogues where diverse experiences and ways of thinking come together. Visitors engage with leading voices in the design industry and experts from a wide range of disciplines – discussing social issues, new approaches, or concrete design solutions.

This collaboration fosters connections that extend far beyond the event itself, as well as insights that inspire a rethinking of design at the intersections of business, research, and politics.

 

Highlight Speakers at the Design Summit 2026

Alice Rawsthorn

Alice Rawsthorn is an award-winning design critic and author based in London. Her books include Design as an Attitude and, most recently, Design Emergency: Building a Better Future, which she co-authored with Paola Antonelli, senior design curator at MoMA in New York. Her books have been published in more than a dozen languages, and her weekly design column for The New York Times has been distributed worldwide for over a decade.

In her work, Alice Rawsthorn consistently advocates for design as a social, political, and environmental tool. Together with Paola Antonelli, she is also the co-founder of the podcast Design Emergency, which explores how design can drive positive change.

Alice on Playground of Possibilities: “Design’s fundamental role is as an agent of change that can help us address changes of any kind – social, political, economic, cultural, technological, environmental, or whatever – to ensure that they affect us positively, not negatively. We urgently need design to fulfill this role at a time of seemingly endless possibilities, for better or for worse.”

Roberto Verganti

Roberto Verganti is the Josefsson Family Chair in Art and Innovation at the House of Innovation at the Stockholm School of Economics. He is also a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School, where he teaches Design Theory and Practice, and co-founder of the Leadin’ Lab for Leadership, Design, and Innovation at the Politecnico di Milano. 

He is an ambassador for the European Commission’s European Innovation Council and holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Vaasa.

Roberto Verganti is the author of the books Overcrowded: Designing Meaningful Products in a World Awash with Ideas (MIT Press) and Design-Driven Innovation (Harvard Business Press), which was nominated by the Academy of Management for the George R. Terry Book Award. His research has been honored with the Compasso d’Oro award. In addition, he advises international companies on innovation and design.

Roberto on Playground of Possibilities: “Design has traditionally been seen as creative problem solving. Since AI is now an exceptional problem solver, often better than the average human, we need to focus on the most human of capabilities: the creation of meaning. We need to transform design from problem solving to creative meaning making.”

Marije Vogelzang

Marije Vogelzang is a visionary designer, speaker, and author who has been a pioneer in food design since 1999. Her work has been presented worldwide – ranging from exhibitions and installations to performances, dinners, and workshops in which she explores food from a design perspective. She teaches at art colleges, culinary schools, in companies, and through her online program. 

For eight years, she headed the “Food Non Food” department at the Design Academy Eindhoven. In 2024, she was appointed project professor at the Kassel Art Academy for one year, and in 2025 she founded the Food Design Playground in Dordrecht (NL), an international venue and experimental space for food design. In her latest book, Lick It: Challenge the Way We Experience Food, she fundamentally questions our understanding of the nature and experience of food.

Marije on Playground of Possibilities: “Playground of possibilities might sound like a lighthearted theme, but in fact I believe that playing and allowing for play are essential for creative research and for us to stay humble and humane. I started my own Food Design Playground last year, so I guess that shows how seriously I take play. It is a fundamental part of practice.”

Friedrich von Borries

Prof. Dr. Friedrich von Borries teaches design theory at the Hamburg University of Fine Arts (HFBK) and works at the sociopolitical intersections of architecture, design, and art. Together with Alexander Doudkin, he founded getminds.ai, a platform that uses AI to open up new and diverse perspectives.

At the heart of his work lies the relationship between design and social development. As a researcher, he seeks to understand the world; as a designer, to change it. Accordingly, he uses both research and design to engage with the technologies, structures, and practices that shape our lives today. In his projects, he creates spaces where people can discover, experiment with, and sensually experience new possibilities for themselves, their daily lives, social interactions, and the world around them.

Friedrich on Playground of Possibilities: “Many people are afraid of AI. But it definitely opens up new possibilities for creativity –and for a multiperspectivity that could overcome the dangerous polarization currently dominating the discourse in digital spaces.”

Emmi Salonen

Emmi Salonen is a designer and educator who founded the London-based studio Emmi in 2025. Her work centers on Positive Creativity – the idea that design can connect people, enhance well-being, and foster sustainable decisions. She is the author and designer of The Creative Wellbeing Handbook (BIS Publishers) and the developer of the Creative Ecosystem Model, which helps reduce stress and burnout.

Her insights combine years of practical experience with a solid scientific background, including the course The Science of Well-Being at Yale University. Emmi is a Happiness Facilitator, an RSA Fellow, and has contributed to the AI for Human Flourishing think tank at the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard University.

Emmi on Playground of Possibilities: “I feel our creative spark shines brightest when we’re doing something we don’t have to do: having fun, experimenting, trying something new. The trick is to weave those micro-passions into your everyday life to re-energize yourself.”

Hideaki Ogawa

Hideaki Ogawa was born in Tokyo, Japan, and has lived and worked in Linz, Austria, since 2007. He has worked as an artist, curator, and researcher at Ars Electronica. Today, he is the Artistic Director of Ars Electronica, Director of the Sapporo International Art Festival 2024, and Creative Director of Civic Creative Base Tokyo. 

In his work, he is involved in numerous international and interdisciplinary projects, including initiatives that use art as a catalyst for exploring future scenarios, as well as projects aimed at fostering participatory communities and developing and implementing next-generation cultural and pedagogical programs.

Hideaki on Playground of Possibilities: “Possibility, by itself, means nothing. The question is: possibility for what – and for whom? Art gives new possibilities meaning, creating a playground for future visions.”

Filippo Pagliani

Filippo Pagliani is a partner and co-founder of Park studio. Graduated in Architecture at Politecnico di Milano, Filippo constantly deals with the process and quality of projects in close contact with work teams. Besides his professional activity, Filippo is involved since 1996 as a teacher at Politecnico Milano, School of Construction Engineering/Architecture and from 2013 as visiting professor of the Architectural Design international course. Filippo is engaged on a regular basis as a lecturer on issues related to architecture, urban design environment.

Filippo on Playground of Possibilities: “Working at the intersection of tradition and innovation, of rigour and audacity, architecture is immersing ourselves in the deep richness of each opportunity we design to. From the plurality of perspectives of analysis and implementation, we bring a new vision to life, purposefully unique and coherent in all its parts. Embracing the great challenges of our times, we give form to new futures with deep roots and ripe with possibility.”

Jessie Storey

Jessie Storey leads product development for Steelcase in EMEA and designs products and experiences for the evolving world of work. Together with her teams, she explores the intersection of technology, behavior, and space to develop insight-driven design solutions. 

A particular focus of her work is embedding circular economy principles at the core of product conception, development, and launch.

Jessie on Playground of Possibilities: “The powerful method of playing is what helps us learn, test unknowns, and explore bold ideas without constraints or judgment. It’s okay to make mistakes when we’re ‘just playing.’ Having that freedom to go off-script and to try new things out loud is what uncovers unexpected paths forward.”

 

Moderator of the mcbw design summit 2026

Leonhard Nima 

Leonhard Nima brings over 15 years of experience in social innovation and has worked in more than 20 countries. He is the founder of Studio Nima, co-founder of N2XTCODER, and regularly moderates international conferences. As an educational advisor, he supports the Yunus Sports Hub. 

Max Fraser

Max Fraser is Editorial Director at Dezeen. Over the past two decades, he has worked as a design commentator across digital media, books, events, exhibitions, magazines, and video formats, always with the aim of broadening the discourse on contemporary design and architecture. He is the author of several design books, including Design UK and Designers On Design, which he co-authored with Sir Terence Conran. His recent publications include the London Design Guide series, as well as monographs on designers Piet Hein Eek, Luca Nichetto, and Benjamin Hubert. 

As a journalist, Max Fraser served as design correspondent for CNN Style and wrote for publications such as the Financial Times, Wallpaper, Icon, Surface, the London Evening Standard, and Newsweek International. He has also worked globally as a content consultant for companies and organizations and served as deputy director of the London Design Festival from 2012 to 2015.

 

Tickets & Registration

Seating is limited; early registration is recommended to secure your spot at the talks, panels, lunch, and the evening networking event.

Location & Accessibility

The Design Summit will take place at Munich Urban Colab, which is fully accessible. We recommend traveling by bike or public transportation (stops: Leonrodplatz, Hochschule München).

Munich, September 24, 2025

From May 4th to May 10th, 2026, munich creative business week (mcbw) will open its doors for the 15th time and under the annual motto “Playground of Possibilities” invites you to rediscover the world of design. Like on a playing field, a space full of curiosity, exchange, and experimentation emerges – a space where the big questions of our time also find their place. Guided by four principles – Empowering the Creative Self, Exploring the Creative Field, Turning Ideas into Action, and Creating Visions that Enrich – a journey unfolds that stretches from the first spark to realizing the great vision.

SOMETHING IS IN THE AIR

Amid a changing world, new energy is awakening. In times of great challenges, fresh forces, bold ideas, and a strengthened sense of self are emerging. They do not arise despite uncertainty, but precisely from it – and therefore carry a special radiance.
mcbw 2026 responds to this transformation. With this year’s motto “Playground of Possibilities,” Munich once again becomes a hub for design, innovation, and future ideas. What the world needs is not perfection but the joy of creating. Openness. The courage to begin. Creativity not as an accessory, but as a tool for change.

The future cannot be planned, but it can be shaped – and that is exactly what mcbw invites you to do: on stages, in workshops, exhibitions, and discourse spaces. “Playground of Possibilities” is not a utopia, but a call to experiment, learn, act, and grow together. This attitude is guided by four overarching principles – a process that provides orientation while leaving space for experimentation, dialogue, and transformation.

 

1 / EMPOWERING THE CREATIVE SELF

Confidence. Trust. New tools. New roles.


Creativity has never been so easy – and so necessary. In a world full of challenges, we need people with the courage to actively shape the future. New technologies like AI and intuitive interfaces make creativity accessible to the masses, while at the same time increasing responsibility. What is needed are personalities who provide guidance and act as mentors to make new paths visible. Change begins with the trust that you don’t need to know everything in order to create something valuable. Trust in open, often chaotic, but always shapeable processes. And above all, trust in your own creative abilities.


To design means: daring to begin, even if not everything is clear. Trusting yourself as the first step.

 

2 / EXPLORING THE CREATIVE FIELD

Freedom. Curiosity. Intuition. Playing together.

Creativity needs space to play – and play itself. It is fueled by curiosity rather than rigid goals, by the joy of experimenting. To do this, we can awaken our playful lightness – the kind that marvels, tries things out, changes its mind, and ignores conventions. Play opens up spaces that inspire rather than control – in the mind, in everyday life, and within teams. In this context, design becomes a shared playground to create an inviting togetherness.

To design means: playfully experimenting and inventing new worlds.

 

3 / TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION

Get started. Experiment. Prototype. Make it visible.

After trust and playful exploration comes the moment when ideas become visible – a return to a maker’s mindset. It has never been easier to turn an idea into a real product: thanks to new technologies, distribution models, and self-confidence. People want to bring their ideas into the world and celebrate success. Creating is about starting where you are - not waiting for perfection but showing what already exists. Testing, learning, improving. Design becomes action in rapid sequences.
To design means: acting concretely and making impactful ideas visible.

 

4 / CREATING VISIONS THAT ENRICH

Meaning. Impact. Responsibility. Shaping the future.

The decisive step: to elevate the idea beyond itself. Here, creativity gains direction – as a compass for community, quality of life, and the future. Design becomes a tool for empathy, responsibility, and bold ideas. It is about creating impact and feeling that action matters – and that this very feeling fuels the joy of design. Not just solving problems, but daring to envision the extraordinary: Imagining new perspectives, stories, and spaces that do not yet exist – but should. In this way, design becomes a means of influence. It shapes something that inspires people. To be creative today means changing mindsets. An invitation to fill our actions with meaning – and a reminder that innovation can foster hope.

To design means: embracing responsibility for our actions and helping shape the future in meaningful ways.

 

BE PART OF THE PLAYGROUND

mcbw 2026 is a collective expression of a new mindset and, beyond its annual theme, a place of exchange and collaboration. Every year, leading partners – from agencies to companies like BMW, Steelcase, and more – help shape the program and provide ideas and insights for a future-oriented design culture.
The “Playground of Possibilities” opens its doors to everyone who thinks, works, and lives creatively – from professionals to start-ups, universities, organizations, and visionaries. mcbw offers many opportunities for active participation as a partner, program contributor, or visitor. Interested parties can register now at contact @ mcbw.de.

For especially creative and innovative event ideas, mcbw offers a wildcard opportunity: selected projects will receive free participation in Design Week. Projects from start-ups, young professionals, or students with limited budgets are also regularly considered.

 

SAVE THE DATE – MCBW DESIGN SUMMIT

Monday, May 4, 2026 at Munich Urban Colab

The all-day conference brings together internationally renowned speakers to explore current trends, visionary impulses, and interdisciplinary design perspectives on the annual theme in talks and panel discussions.

Munich, July 10, 2025

• May 10 to 18, 2025 | 14^th edition of munich creative business week
• Largest design festival in Germany – more than 200 events | 390 speakers | more than 65,000 visitors
• Top-caliber, diverse, and multifaceted – events curated by close to 210 program partners
• Strong presence in public spaces
• Changes in mcbw project management team
• Save the date: mcbw 2026 from May 4 to 10, 2026

mcbw 2025 – Germany's largest design festival in the heart of Munich

For the 14^th time bayern design hosted the largest design event in Germany, munich creative business week (mcbw), this year following the motto How to create a vibrant community. From May 10 to 18, mcbw 2025 comprised a varied and interactive program aimed at design professionals and the public alike. Exhibitions, installations in public spaces, talks, and discussions enabled participants to experience design in all its facets.

With its bandwidth of formats – from scientific to playful interpretations of this year’s motto – mcbw 2025 invited people to engage, discover, discuss, and establish contacts. For nine days, Munich's city center was transformed into a vibrant design festival, offering numerous opportunities for the many participants to come together as a vibrant community.

mcbw 2025 – facts and figures

More than 200 events, close to 210 program partners, 390 speakers, and more than 65,000 visitors – that is the proud record of mcbw 2025. 

New program partners that contributed to making the festival a success with their own events included ABB Robotics, allmannwappner, Deutscher Designtag, Etcorporate, Lab Campus, Politide, Roland Berger, students of the Identity Design master program at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences Department of Design, and World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026. Frontify, Kurz, and Mars have joined BMW Group, Steelcase, and Ströer as new partners and sponsors.

Sold out – mcbw design summit

For the fourth time mcbw presented design summit, an international B2B conference that was extended into a full-day symposium this year. On May 12, the top-caliber panel of six keynote speakers met at Munich Urban Colab to discuss three thematic focal points – shaping togetherness, inspiring empathy, and opening minds. Through brief lectures and moderated discussions, 17 speakers from 10 countries sounded out the annual mcbw motto from diverse perspectives in front of approximately 250 visitors. The focus was on ways for design to contribute to a dynamic, vibrant, and democratic society. The conference concluded on a festive note with a well-attended get-together – a unique opportunity for the roughly 350 invited guests to meet, exchange ideas, network, and celebrate together.

Top-caliber, diverse, and multifaceted – close to 210 program partners curated an exciting lineup

The appeal of mcbw continues to grow with each passing year. This is reflected in the number of visitors and in the quantity and variety of events curated by the program partners to turn mcbw into a unique experience. Deutscher Designtag kicked off the festival with DIVE´25, the first country-wide design conference. Leading minds from the design industry and design-forward companies, marketing and communications discussed the social, ecological, cultural, and economic potential of design with representatives from politics, academia, and the corporate sector. The focus was on interdisciplinary dialog – on stage, backstage, and among the audience. 

At the same time, DDX Conference hosted by Microsoft Germany offered a day full of inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities – all aimed at opening up new perspectives and advancing the industry. DDX'25 was a high-energy conference for innovators, designers, and product leaders shaping the future of UX and digital innovation. Also, the Startup Awards made a comeback to honor emerging talent and forward-looking projects.

Every great party ends in the kitchen. The Interior Design Studio Holzrausch team and the J*GAST design collective took this insight to heart and told their Kitchen Stories on May 16, towards the end of mcbw: an open evening of food, drinks, and live music focused on exchange and ambiance. Four kitchen islands were set up in the showroom for participants to talk about culture, indulgence, craftsmanship, or music, each kitchen with its own theme, tone, and circle of voices featuring Mike Meiré, Oliver Jahn, Ana Relvão, Jan Heinzelmann, Angelika Nollert, Guido Walter, Susan Ann McKenzie, and many guests.

Strong presence in public spaces

Together with its program partners, mcbw presented installations at diverse locations throughout the city center on all nine days. The heart of the festival and its main information point again was mcbw hub, which was installed specifically for the occasion at Rindermarkt square and in the retail area at Ruffinihaus. Visitors were invited to try new things, from ping pong on round tables to a creative workshop. The futuristic metal capsule presented at Königsplatz square by Designblok Prague in cooperation with the Czech Center in Munich proved to be a highlight. Those willing to stand in line with other curious visitors were rewarded with views of spectacular glassworks staged in the interior of the capsule by the Czech Republic's currently best designers in an ensemble of 170 mirrors. 

The event hosted by the Sintesi Labs agency was titled Take a seat: A 23-meter-long table installed on the south lawn of Alte Pinakothek summed up the motto How to design a vibrant community by bringing people into conversation in a playful manner. After mcbw, Kunstareal München took over the interactive installation and will place the table at FLUX at Pinakothek der Moderne. At FÜNF HÖFE, together with the audience Dutch designer Noa Haim and her Studio Collective Paper Aesthetics team created an interactive piece of art from folded carton modules. The installation was implemented in cooperation with LEONHARD KURZ and with generous support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. At Viktualienmarkt, students of the Identity Design master program at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences presented wishing well. By coin toss, hundreds of people confided their most secret wishes for a future worth living in this pop-up container. The money will be donated to the organization Herzenswünsche e.V.

Changes in mcbw project management team

After serving as interim project manager during a two-year parental leave, mcbw project leader Thorsten Buch passed the baton to Lisa Braun this June. Lisa Braun already has begun to develop a concept for mcbw 2026 together with the interdisciplinary bayern design teams in Nuremberg and Munich.

Save the date

The next edition of mcbw will take place from May 4 to 10, 2026. 

Press material

We invite you to share reports and documentation about mcbw 2025 or individual events. You can download the latest images and extensive information on the top themes here. Please notify us if you need more information or are interested in interviewing with the mcbw organization team or one of the many program partners. We will be happy to coordinate schedules.

 

More information on the mcbw 2026 will be available shortly.