Map/ing Sustainability: Zur Wirkmächtigkeit von Design

Using the Map/ing Sustainability method, we explore exhibits and design projects from the Open Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain together in a workshop — mapping their potential impacts as building blocks of socially and ecologically sustainable futures. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a shared reference point: not as fixed targets, but as an invitation to bring together different forms of knowledge and perspectives, and to think together about the transformative potential of design projects.

The workshop thrives on looking closely, asking questions, and discussing together — and is open to everyone who wants to experience design as a practice with real societal impact, regardless of prior knowledge. We look forward to a diversity of voices and perspectives! The maps created during the workshop document the conversations and will be exhibited afterwards, so the dialogue can continue well beyond the workshop itself.

Workshop times on Tuesday, 9 June 2026:

The workshop takes place three times, each session lasting approx. 1.5 hours:

• 11:00 – 12:30
• 14:00 – 15:30
• 16:30 – 18:00

Participation is free of charge. Please register using the following link:

Map/ing Sustainability was developed as part of transform.NRW, a project of the Wuppertal Institute and the Faculty of Design and Art at the University of Wuppertal, funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of NRW. Together with 16 collaboration partners from art, culture, design, research, business, and local government, transform.NRW explores how socio-ecological transformation can be achieved through design practice.