The HFBK (Hamburg University of Fine Arts) recently launched the Redesign Democracy competition, which aimed to develop new, visionary concepts to enhance the traditional democratic act of voting. Four winning entries have now been selected, demonstrating that the design of voting systems is as important as their functionality.
How can the democratic act of voting be reimagined in aesthetic, functional and emotional terms, and what are the implications of doing so? This was the central question behind ‘Redesign Democracy – Rethinking the Act of Voting’, a competition initiated by the Hamburg University of Fine Arts (HFBK – Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg) as part of the ‘Redesigning Democratic Representation’ research project. The jury received more than 50 submissions from Germany, Belgium, Chile, Slovenia and Turkey, and has now selected four prize-winning entries, each of which is to be awarded €1,000.
The Winners:
- Moritz Bendl & Emma Rahe – ‘Aus ungestaltet wird umgestaltet‘ (From Unformed to Reformed)
A clearly structured and practical concept, convincing through its emphasis on transparency in the voting process. - Pauline Muszi – ‘Deine Wahl‘ (Your Choice)
A voting package that is both thoughtful and accessible, skilfully combining modern design with democratic earnestness. - Daniel Afriyie Owusu – ‘Meros‘
A conceptually strong proposal that centres community and solidarity, and envisions voting not merely as a function but as a ritual. - Peter Post & Petra Esveld – ‘Fanticket‘
A playful and emotionally engaging concept that turns voting into an accessible and joyful experience – with a design approach that consciously embraces lightness and humour.
The jury, composed of ten experts from the fields of design, politics, and public administration, selected the winning projects. Among them were Dara Sepehri of the German Design Club, Barbara Lersch from World Design Capital 2026, as well as regional electoral officers, state secretaries, and members of the German Bundestag from the SPD and Alliance 90/The Greens. Together, they assessed the diversity and innovative power of the submissions and emphasised the importance of connecting design and democracy in the voting process.
The competition was organised as part of the research project Redesigning Democratic Representation, a collaboration between Prof. Dr Friedrich von Borries (HFBK Hamburg) and Prof. Dr Sven T. Siefken (Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences), funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. The goal is to explore and reinterpret the procedural and performative dimensions of democratic representation through design.
Share on Social Media
