In a world where analogue and digital realities are merging, age-old questions take on new significance: What is real and what is fake? What is artificial and what is natural? And, how real is reality?

Focus Theme: »The New Real«

Artificial intelligence is accelerating, technology is taking over, and reality is shifting. We are witnessing a new kind of real and a transformation that spares no industry. For professionals in design, communication, media, and the creative economy, this brings profound implications. During Design Month 2025, we will explore these through the programme focus “The New Real”: What does human creativity mean in an era of artificial intelligence? How are business models evolving? What responsibilities do those designing new immersive worlds bear?

The design community can look forward to thought-provoking discussions, exhibitions, workshops, and installations at the festival hub, Hornig Areal.

The programme is curated by Creative Industries Styria and features contributions from local, national, and international partners within the CIS network.

A Platform Open to All

Participation and shared exchange held a special place in the 2024 programme: interactive formats invited visitors to express their own creativity—whether through text, drawings, or multimedia, with AI as a tool. A “Rage Room” took the idea of letting go literally, encouraging participants to part joyfully with objects they’d long wanted to discard.

Evening Kitchen Talks, held on five occasions, blended culinary experiences with engaging discourse. Attendees cooked and debated with experts from various fields in a specially designed on-site kitchen. Speaking of food: The Underground Kitchen was responsible for unique culinary creations throughout the month.

Adding to the dynamic atmosphere, a series of concerts ensured the festival hub lived up to its name.