German Design Graduates Special: What Role Does Experimental Design Play as a Driver of Innovation?

In this special edition of Design Perspectives, we explore how experimental design can spark innovation between the laboratory and industry. Host Jasmin Jouhar talks to Miriam Johnston, a graduate of Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, and Johannes Voelchert, Innovation Design Lead at On Shoes in Zurich. The occasion for this special episode is the exhibition Dare to Design – Spaces of Care, on view at the Museum of Applied Arts Cologne (MAKK) until 12 October 2025. The show features projects by this year’s German Design Graduates, an initiative of the German Design Council supporting graduates of German design universities. Among them: the Master’s project Biophilic Colours by Miriam Johnston, selected as a Spotlight Project by Johannes Voelchert.

👤 Miriam Johnston – Designer, Graduate of Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle | German Design Graduates Spotlight Project Biophilic Colours
Johannes Voelchert – Innovation Design Lead, On Shoes | Mentor, German Design Graduates

🎙️ 
Jasmin Jouhar – Freelance Journalist

📌 Three Takeaways:



1. Design in the Lab: Biophilic Colours
Miriam Johnston explores structural colours generated through the growth of flavobacteria. With 3D-printed biotubes, she creates habitats in which microorganisms produce iridescent colour patterns. Her approach demonstrates how designers can be integrated as equal collaborators in scientific research processes.

2. From Experiment to Scale: LightSpray at On
During his studies, Johannes Voelchert developed a process in which a shoe’s upper material is sprayed directly onto its sole. At On, this technology has been further developed over several years – with the challenge of scaling it up to industrial levels. His work shows how experimental design can create tangible impact in industry when persistence meets iterative problem-solving.

3: Interdisciplinarity as Key
: Both guests emphasise the role of designers as bridge-builders between disciplines. Whether in biotechnology, materials research, or manufacturing innovation – the crucial skill lies in connecting knowledge, contributing new perspectives, and translating complex ideas into forms accessible to science, business, and society alike.

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🔗 Further links:
Exhibition Dare to Design – Spaces of Care, Museum of Applied Arts Cologne
German Design Graduates: germandesigngraduates.com

On Shoes: on.com

Faber Futures Studio, London: faberfutures.com

Ecologic Studio, London: ecologicstudio.com
Self-Assembly Lab
MIT: selfassemblylab.mit.edu

🕐 Chapters:

01:21 – Miriam Johnston: Biophilic Colours & Flavobacteria

07:07 – Johannes Voelchert: Selection as Spotlight Project & the role of process design

13:35 – Experiences at Burg Giebichenstein

15:51 – On Shoes: From Bachelor project to innovation process

22:17 – Interdisciplinary collaboration and funding opportunities

25:17 – Future potential of experimental design