Frankfurt feiert Demokratie Website for WDC 2026
On May 23rd, 2026, Germany's constitution celebrates its 77th birthday. To mark this occasion, Frankfurt launched a citywide democracy initiative as part of World Design Capital 2026. The core idea: citizens organize their own events across neighborhoods – street festivals, panel discussions, concerts, picnics, community gatherings. The platform serves as central hub for event discovery, registration, and community building around democratic participation.
Challenge
Democracy initiatives often feel institutional, distant, and overly formal. The balancing act here: integrate official partners (City of Frankfurt, Hessischer Rundfunk, Frankfurter Allgemeine, Goethe University, Deutsche Bank) while maintaining authentic grassroots character. The platform needed to invite participation without becoming generic civic branding. Another constraint: limited budget as largely volunteer-driven WDC project.
Approach
The visual language bridges institutional credibility with accessibility. Teal as primary color conveys trust and civic responsibility without governmental heaviness. Warm cream backgrounds remove sterility and create an inviting, approachable feel. The interactive map became the central design element – making the decentralized nature of the initiative immediately tangible. Events scattered across all districts, each marker representing citizen-led participation.
The event registration flow was deliberately reduced to four steps. Every additional field or screen would contradict the core message: democracy happens in your neighborhood, not in an office. Mobile experience prioritized for on-the-ground discovery.
Outcome
Responsive web platform featuring interactive event map with filtering by district and event type, participant registration system, news section for updates and interviews, downloadable materials for event organizers, and comprehensive FAQ. Fully mobile-optimized for spontaneous event discovery while walking through the city.
Scope: Concept, UX/UI Design, Visual Identity Year: 2024–2025
