MCBW – bayern design's international flagship event

DESIGN CONNECTS - bayern design is the competence centre for all design-related knowledge transfer and collaborations in the Free State of Bavaria. In numerous, most varied projects, we put the spotlight on the importance of design as well as its key role in managing economic and social change with sustainable impact. We support the implementation of the Free State's design promotion programs and foster the networking activities of designers and interest groups across all disciplines, companies, universities, institutions and associations.

About MCBW

The MUNICH CREATIVE BUSINESS WEEK (MCBW) is Germany's largest design event and at the same time an international showcase for the Bavarian creative and design industry.

As a platform, the MCBW grants companies and designers from all disciplines the opportunity to present themselves to the professional world and the design-savvy public in Munich and the surrounding area over a period of nine days in a variety of event formats, such as exhibitions, lectures, talks, panel discussions, etc..
The MCBW is organised by bayern design GmbH and sponsored by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy as well as the City of Munich.

Under the leitmotif Design connects and the two program areas, CREATE BUSINESS! for the trade audience and DESIGN SCHAU! for the design-savvy public, inspiring design experiences are created, know-how is shared, trends and the latest innovations are discussed, and contacts are forged in order to fully immerse oneself in the world of design.

In doing so, MCBW underlines its concept- and content-based orientation with changing main themes along the major trends and questions that move today's society.

Team MCBW

Head of MCBW

Lisa Braun

+49 89 520356-62
braun @ bayern-design.de

With an early fascination for carefully designed postcards, architecture and the desire to create with her own hands, Lisa first took up the solid craft of carpentry before following her penchant for exquisit design with a degree in design and product management.

Several years of professional experience in product design and innovation management for a variety of industries prepared her for eventually joining the MCBW staff in 2018 - initially as partner manager and, since 2020, as head of MCBW.

Her unshakeably cheerful, proactive personality and her grasp of the big picture allow Lisa to hold the multiple MCBW strands under control and to re-compose them in a team effort with great enthusiasm and diplomacy - all with the purpose of setting new tones for the MCBW.

When away from the world of design, nature lover Lisa can usually be spotted outdoors - on her bicycle, in the mountains or her vegetable garden. Not surprisingly, her creativity also translates into bold culinary creations

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Projectmanagement MCBW

Anja Philipp

+49 89 520356-61
philipp @ bayern-design.de

Early on in her personal life, Anja discovered her affinity for design when she fell in love with materials science and typography. Her professional path to design, however, initially led her from a degree in media and communication studies to work in theatre, film and the start-up world before arriving at the MCBW in 2020.

Anja is the gifted organiser behind the MCBW FORUM; she researches and curates the films for the DESIGNKINO; she is responsible for the DESIGNWALK; and with her tireless motivation and infectious drive, she also produces the MCBW Newsletter and much more. On top of that, she is also our joker for questions relating to social media and pop culture trends.

The inquisitive spirit that she is, Anja is always on the lookout for new things to try out and discover, from the latest art exhibition to the hottest venue. And as an avid globetrotter, her scope of exploration extends far beyond Munich’s city limits.

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Partner Management

David Krause

+49 89 552692-21
krause @ bayern-design.de

Already born with a soft spot for architecture and illustration, it was an Olympics poster by Otl Aicher that eventually tipped the scales for David to pursue a career in design.

Following a hands-on training as a car mechanic as well as a number-oriented degree in business administration, David's professional journey spanned across various stints in the colourful world of music, art and culture. After a few years in brand consulting at a large communications agency, he finally joined the MCBW in 2020.

On top of being the "quota guy" in the Munich branch office, David has proven himself ever since as an eloquent partner manager by actively seeking dialogue with potential partners to co-develop concepts that serve and enrich both the partners and the MCBW. Doing so, he manages to win over even the biggest skeptics with charming persistency and to bundle different individual interests into one solution that is beneficial for all parties. In addition, he coordinates the MCBW visual brand presence with tireless commitment and attention to detail.
Brief timeouts in the mountains – mainly to put his countless pieces of (winter) sports equipment to use – and outings in the cultural scene provide the necessary balance and new inspiration.

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Projektmanagement MCBW

Tanja Knöller

+49 89 552692-23
knoeller @ bayern-design.de

Tanja has been part of the MCBW family since 2013 – and is thus our most valuable resource as the treasurer of the immense wealth of MCBW knowledge and a constant provider of useful insights into the long MCBW history. Family ties to design sparked her love for design at an early age.

This steered her on the path to studying design. Further career moves within Germany and abroad led from product and exhibition design to project management, which ultimately culminated in her joining the MCBW team.

Here, Tanja is in charge of the MCBW reception and of managing the master list for all advertising materials. She also oversees the MCBW website and is particularly committed to promoting the next generation of designers. Yet she never fails to challenge the MCBW team by asking scrutinising questions and initiating discussions.

Tanja is also a passionate networker whose communicative and vivacious nature enables her to engage just about anyone in a conversation and to connect the right people at just the right time. That is why long nights are anything but uncommon with her.

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Advisory Board MCBW

Vice Dean, Hochschule München Fakultät für Design

Prof. Markus Frenzl

Markus Frenzl is professor for design theory, design consultant and design critic. With his Frankfurt based office 4gzl/designkontext he is specialised in design consulting, strategy development, communication and corporate publishing.

Among his clients are companies such as ClassiCon, Cor, e15, Lufthansa, Magazin, Merck, Merten, Mykita, Nya Nordiska, Phonak, Serien.Lighting or Sign. He contributes regularly as a design critic on the cultural and social relevance of design, on everyday culture and the public perception of design. Since 2011 he is professor for design and media theory at the Design Faculty of the University of Applied Sciences in Munich, focusing on conceptual projects, semiotics, aesthetics, design criticism, design writing and product semantics.

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www.design.hm.edu

Design Director Global Furniture, Steelcase

Michael Held

Michael Held is Design Director Global Furniture at the Steelcase Learning and Innovation Center in Munich, prototyping the future of work and how technology will augment work, worker and workplace.

After graduating in Industrial Design from the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, he received his Executive Master DesignCulture from the University of Art and Design Zurich.

Michael worked for several design consultancies in Germany and Switzerland before joining Asus Computer Taipei, Taiwan in 2004. In 2006 he joined Philips Design in Singapore and later Hong Kong where he built and led teams designing consumer lifestyle electronics, software applications and related brand touch points. Michael frequently speaks at conferences and universities and his teams work has been commercially successful and well recognized.

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www.steelcase.com

President, Deutscher Designtag

Boris Kochan

Companies and organizations, relationships and networks, branding, communication and design policy ... Boris Kochan cannot not design. As an entrepreneur, designer, author and consultant he travels the world, giving lectures, curating and moderating conferences, panel discussions and round tables.

He is president of the non-Latin typography project GRANSHAN and founder of the Editorial Design Conference EDCH. After seven years as First Chairman of the Typographische Gesellschaft (tgm), he became President of the newly formed umbrella organization Deutscher Designtag in 2016 and Vice President of Deutscher Kulturrat in 2019. In addition, Boris Kochan accompanies as managing partner his branding and design agency KOCHAN & PARTNER, founded in 1981.

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www.designtag.org

Director, Die Neue Sammlung - The Design Museum

Dr. Angelika Nollert

Dr. Angelika Nollert became the director of Die Neue Sammlung - The Design Museum at Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich in 2014. From 1997 to 2000, she was the curator of Portikus in Frankfurt am Main. Dr. Nollert was in charge of project management for documenta 11 in 2001/2002 and for the visual arts sector of the Siemens Arts Program from 2002 to 2007.

She headed Neues Museum für Kunst und Design in Nuremberg from 2007 to 2014.Dr. Nollert chairs the University Council of Akademie für Bildende Kunst in Munich.

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www.die-neue-sammlung.com

Head, BMW Group Design

Adrian van Hooydonk

Since 1992, Dutch-born industrial designer Adrian van Hooydonk has worked in diverse divisions of BMW Group and in 2009 he became the Head of BMW Group Design. His former positions include Managing Director of BMW subsidiary BMW Group DesignWorks USA and Head of Design BMW Cars at BMW AG in Munich.

www.bmwgroup.com

managing director bayern design

Nadine Vicentini

In April 2021, Nadine Vicentini became managing director of bayern design, Bavaria’s center for design competence, and organizer of Munich Creative Business Week (MCBW). She studied Media, Communications and Cultural Studies (Master of Arts) at Roskilde University, Denmark and Kassel University, Germany.

She has worked as a marketing manager, an account director, and a team leader for renowned design and architectural firms. In 2014, she took up freelance consulting assignments in brand development and design strategy; in 2018 she added dvct-certified systemic business coach to her services portfolio. In addition, she is involved in design education as a freelance lecturer.

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www.bayern-design.com

MCBW is a proud member of WORLD DESIGN WEEKS.

WORLD DESIGN WEEKS is a network for design weeks and festivals around the globe.

The network consists of more than 40 design weeks and festivals around the world. The objective is to promote collaboration in the design field, to support product development, and to develop the economy of creative fields.

More information about WDW