Das INTeF – Designgeschichte(n) in Gegenständen

As part of the WDC 2026, Germany's oldest design institute presents itself and its wide range of topics.

Mass-produced consumer goods, everyday objects of anonymous design, and packaging are represented alongside sophisticated design objects. Organized by product type, the rich collection includes series of objects such as electrical appliances, razors, kettles, and toys, which demonstrate the development of technology and materials as well as the preferences typical of their time. We showcase proven classics of good design and introduce their designers. Our presentation also aims to promote a future permanent exhibition that will continue the history of design as a chronological continuation of the Art Nouveau collection in the Ernst Ludwig Haus on the Mathildenhöhe.

The Institute for New Technical Form was founded in 1952 following the Darmstadt discussion “Man and Technology” and has since been involved in communicating and disseminating “good industrial design”.