The jury of the design competition “Redesign Democracy – Rethinking Voting” has awarded four outstanding designs. The competition was organized by the Hochschule frür bildende Künste Hamburg (HFBK) as part of the research project Redesigning Democratic Representation by Prof. Dr. Friedrich von Borries (HFBK Hamburg) and Prof. Dr. Sven T. Siefken (Federal University of Public Administration). The aim was to develop appropriate and visionary concepts that enhance the age-old democratic act of voting.

More than 50 submissions from Germany and numerous other countries, including Belgium, Chile, Slovenia, and Turkey, demonstrate a broad interest in the task. The distinguished jury of experts from politics, administration, design, and academia selected four entries, each awarded a prize of €1,000:

• “From Unformed to Reformed” by Moritz Bendl and Emma Rahe
  The design impressed the jury with its idea of transparency in the voting process, its clear execution, and compelling design. The jury praised the aesthetically pleasing yet practical concept that makes the feasibility of implementation imaginable.
  
• “Your Vote” by Pauline Muszi
  This aesthetically appealing and accessible voting kit stands out due to its thoughtful design. The jury commended the balance between modernizing the design and language of official communication and maintaining democratic seriousness.
  
• “Meros” by Daniel Afriyie Owusu
  This concept impressed especially with its conceptual depth, placing values such as community and solidarity at the center. The jury highlighted how this concept boldly and inspiringly expands the democratic ritual of voting beyond mere functionality.
  
• “Fanticket” by Peter Post and Petra Esveld
  This submission employs a playful, emotional approach that transforms voting into a festival-like event. With humor and lightness, the design makes democratic participation accessible – "Voting can also be fun," as the jury put it.
  

The competition jury included:

• Prof. Dr. Stephan Bröchler (State Returning Officer for Berlin, Professor of Political and Administrative Science at Berlin School of Economics and Law)
• Prof. Dr. Emma Crewe (Professor of Anthropology, School of Oriental and African Studies, London)
• Thomas Hadamek (Head of Parliamentary Services, German Bundestag)
• Prof. Daniela Hensel (Professor of Social & Public Design, University of Applied Sciences Berlin)
• Benedikt Kuhn (State Secretary, Head of the Hessian State Chancellery)
• Barbara Lersch (Program Director, World Design Capital 2026)
• Peter Müller (Former Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court, Former Minister President of Saarland)
• Dara Sepehri (Board Member of the German Design Club)
• Hanna Steinmüller (Member of the German Bundestag, Bündnis 90 / The Greens)
• Armand Zorn (Member of the German Bundestag, SPD)
  

The Redesigning Democratic Representationproject is a collaborative research project by Prof. Dr. Friedrich von Borries and Prof. Dr. Sven T. Siefken and is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. As a collaboration between political and design sciences, the interdisciplinary team examines both the procedural and performative dimensions of representation and seeks new interpretations. The prize is awarded by HFBK Hamburg.

Quotes from the jury:

• Prof. Dr. Emma Crewe (Professor of Anthropology, SOAS, London):
  "The submissions inspired me to reconsider how we approach and even think about democratic elections – showing how lightness, symbolism, and emotion can open up new ways of engaging with them."
• Thomas Hadamek (Head of Parliamentary Services, German Bundestag):
  "As a lawyer in the Bundestag, I find it incredibly exciting to discuss how design can enrich political and social processes – complementing the often dry legal routine. Especially in light of the constitutional significance of the Bundestag, it makes sense that the external design of elections can also be seen."
• Prof. Daniela Hensel (Professor of Social & Public Design, HTW Berlin):
  "The submissions show an impressive variety of perspectives on the topic. For an exhibition aiming to reach broad segments of the population and spark public discussion, this is a great asset. A competition can hardly achieve more – and I would love to see these designs further developed."
• Benedikt Kuhn (State Secretary, Head of the Hessian State Chancellery):
  "Numerous reports have shown that voting is currently perceived more as a bureaucratic process than as a solemn democratic act. This important day should not only be an obligation but should also evoke pathos and passion for our democracy. All the submissions creatively explored how this unique act could be improved and appropriately enhanced. As a former campaign manager, I was inspired to see how not just campaigns but also election day and the voting process itself can be creatively designed."
• Barbara Lersch (Program Director, World Design Capital 2026):
  "I am delighted by this design competition because it perfectly fits with our annual theme Design for Democracy within the framework of the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026."
• Dara Sepehri (Board Member of the German Design Club):
  "It is remarkable that so many people in Germany can design excellently – yet the state often fails to leverage these skills for a good experience in public-facing design and citizen interaction. That’s why this project excites me – because it’s about space, encounter, and the visual identity of the democratic state."
• Hanna Steinmüller (Member of the German Bundestag, Bündnis 90 / The Greens):
  "I hope that one day I will be able to vote on such beautifully designed ballots as those proposed here – that has really motivated me. As a young mother and a Member of the Bundestag, I find it great to discuss how democracy can also be made more accessible through design."
• Armand Zorn (Member of the German Bundestag, SPD):
  "Politics and design can learn a lot from each other – that’s why I’m very pleased that we are working together here at the intersection of design and democracy."

More information:

Prof. Dr. Friedrich von Borries | HFBK Hamburg | friedrich.borries@hfbk-hamburg.de
Prof. Dr. Sven T. Siefken | Hochschule des Bundes für öffentliche Verwaltung | Sven.Siefken@hsbund.de

Press: Beate Anspach | HFBK Hamburg | Lerchenfeld 2 | 22081 Hamburg | Tel. +49 40 42 89 89 405 | beate.anspach@hfbk.hamburg.de