Talents at 25: A Quarter Century of Bold Design and Fresh Perspectives

What sparks the imagination of young designers today? Which approaches will define the future of interiors, objects, and everyday aesthetics? And whose names should we be keeping an eye on? Since 2001, Messe Frankfurt’s Talents programme has been the launchpad for emerging designers, providing a platform for bold ideas and boundary-pushing creativity. In 2026, the programme celebrates its 25th anniversary by bringing together former Talents—now international design icons—and a new wave of innovators in a dynamic interdisciplinary showcase at Ambiente, Hall 3.1, from 6–10 February.

Icons Who Inspire

The anniversary edition honors former Talents who have become household names in design. Sebastian Herkner, famed for his 2008 lamp Nan16, returns with his OF.LINE collection for Decor Walther, a masterful blend of aluminum and handmade porcelain. Marlene Huissoud continues to explore the beauty of biodiversity; her Cocoon Cabinet #1 transforms thousands of silkworm cocoons from the Peace Silk movement into a stunning, sustainable sculpture. Finnish master carpenter Antrei Hartikainen invites visitors to experience his TRACES series, furniture pieces that shift in detail, texture, and scale depending on perspective—an homage to the landscapes humans shape.

Other celebrated alumni include Mark Braun, Martino Gamper, Laura Straßer, and studios like L + W Design Consultancy, Polka, and Speziell, all of whom exemplify the enduring impact of Talents on contemporary design.

New Voices, Bold Ideas

The next generation of designers is equally exciting. Mareen Baumeister fuses robotics with traditional craftsmanship in her project FLOCK, turning wool waste into striking, multi-sensory mono-material objects. Adrian Grabowreimagines fidget tools in CHARMS, transforming stigmatized objects into calming, aesthetically desirable companions for everyday life. Meanwhile, Ryoji Takahashi (Studio VITRO) asks a simple yet urgent question: How can design help us find calm? His DEW lighting object, which merges light, water, and movement, creates a meditative pause in an increasingly hectic world.

Together, these 15 former Talents and 10 newcomers showcase the wide-ranging creativity, technical mastery, and thoughtful experimentation that define the programme.

A Platform That Launches Careers

Launched in 2001, Talents has connected young designers with the global design and manufacturing community. Unlike many support programmes, participants benefit from a free exhibition stand and expert guidance, often marking their first international showcase. Over 25 years, it has nurtured talent that shapes the future of interiors, objects, and lifestyle design.

Save the Dates

The next editions of the consumer goods fairs will once again take place simultaneously at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre in early February 2026: