The job to be done

How might we, help the [d3] design talents to become a magnet for the puplic and thrives conversation?

The IMM Cologne lounched a new format [d3] design talents to give a space for young individual and talented designers. By complimenting the industrie formats and B2B formates, the focus on more puplic and desing minded vistors. As supporting the trend of that the design marked gets successeable for individual designer through the web 2.0 internet possibilities. Therefor they were looking to overal experiance the forces the connversation and future design development. All with goal to reach a new design attracted puplic visitors.

The Result

With the oversize keyboard we created an immersive experince that geanrates over 3K conversions durring the fair.

The installation sparked incredible engagement, with over 6000 personalized postcards sent to recipients worldwide. This digital-physical experience not only drove significant traffic to the [d3] design talents website, where visitors could view their shared messages, but also created a vibrant hub of interaction and conversation in the public halls. The oversized keyboard became a natural gathering point, transforming the space into a dynamic platform for creative exchange. Additional: The installation's success led to its further development and rental for various events across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region), extending its impact beyond the initial exhibition.

My Role

UX/UI Designer & Consultent

The initial spark for this project came during my work on a social media platform, where I envisioned creating physical interactions that could bridge digital and real-world experiences. Through my network, I connected with fellow students across Germany who shared this vision. Drawing inspiration from the successful Pit Green Project, we were able to convince IMM Cologne to support our innovative concept. By combining our diverse skills in design, technology, and user experience, we formed a multidisciplinary team dedicated to creating unusual installations that would challenge conventional exhibition interactions. Team: Axel Hildenbrand (Design), Lars Grau (Development), Oliver Johanson (Technologie), Matze Lenz (Experience Design)

Applied skills: UX-Research, Ideation, Problemsolving, Tech-Design, UI-Design

Tools: Fireworks, Illustrator, Sketchbook

What the project taught me

Unusual experiences leave remarkable impressions.

Every so often, the combination of art and its unbound meaning creates an unforgettable and brand-enhancing experience, especially when art fuses with technology and human interaction.

What I learned

• User experience isn't just about listening to users—sometimes, depending on the goals, it's about unexpected solutions that create attraction and, thus, value.
• Combining multidisciplinary skills – shared vision and team spirit creates the foundation for extraordinary experiences that enhance perception.
• Any creative idea needs space and freedom for expression – a supportive environment is crucial. I am grateful for the experience we gained through the trust and freedom that IMM Cologne provided us.
• In the long run, success depends on whether it is tolerated.

What I would do differently

• Next time, I would systematically document all project outcomes and gather concrete evidence of the business value we create.
• I would ensure that more visual and experiential impressions are captured throughout the project, which could serve as valuable marketing materials.
• I would invest more time in building trust and credibility with key decision-makers and influential players in the sector early on.