A major success for Hof University: The student collaborative project “CleanAir – Measuring the Digital World” from the Communication Design program was honored with one of the iconic bronze nails at the 2026 ADC Talent Award in the “Experiment / Creative Technology” category. The award ceremony took place on June 11, 2026, at Schuppen 52 in Hamburg.
The Talent Award, presented by the Art Directors Club (ADC), is one of the most prestigious awards for emerging creative talent in the German-speaking world. It honors outstanding work in the fields of communication design, advertising, and visual communication.
The award-winning project was developed under the guidance of Prof. Michael Zöllner and Moritz Krauße. The goal was to use digital technologies to make air quality—which is often invisible in everyday life—visible and tangible.
Making Air Quality Tangible Through Data
With the support of state-of-the-art environmental sensors from the London-based startup AmbientWorks, the students developed data stories and interactive information systems that help people become more aware of and better perceive the air quality in their immediate surroundings.
Click here for the detailed campuls article on “CleanAir.”
Creative Professions in the Era of AI Transformation
The award also underscores the growing importance of interdisciplinary skills in a rapidly changing creative industry. Through the use of artificial intelligence, traditional tasks in the fields of writing, design, and media production are increasingly being automated.
Against this backdrop, skills such as systemic and analytical thinking, technology and data literacy, strategic conceptualization, and entrepreneurial action are gaining in importance. Hof University is responding to this development with a future-oriented education program that combines creative strategies with technological and economic expertise.”
Prof. Michael Zöllner
The recognition by the ADC confirms the approach of preparing students early on for the demands of an AI-driven workplace and of opening up new intersections between experiences, technology, entrepreneurship, and business.
Two of the projects are currently participating in the GO! program to promote innovation in Upper Franconia and are further developing them as startup ideas.
Strong Results for Students at Hof University of Applied Sciences
In total, the Communication Design program at Hof University of Applied Sciences submitted nine projects to the ADC Talent Award 2026. Four projects were recognized on the shortlist. Two multimedia projects by Michelle Likkej. Among them is the project EYE KNOW, a multimedia work that brings eye health to life and has already been honored with the DDC Award from the German Designer Club.
Sophie Doma’s project was also recognized on the ADC shortlist: “RESCUE” is a digital application for coordinating emergency response in large-scale disaster situations. It supports emergency responders with role-specific dashboards, live maps, patient and incident management, and internal communication tools. The project was developed in collaboration with the Bayreuth Control Center. Sophie Doma’s project was also nominated for the UX Design Award. The projects were carried out under the supervision of Prof. Norbert Diedrich.
Finally, the “CleanAir – Measuring the Digital World” project secured a spot on the winners’ podium with the Bronze Nail award.
“The award underscores the high quality of design and conceptual education at Hof University of Applied Sciences, as well as the relevance of creative projects at the intersection of innovation, technology, and economic context.”
Prof. Norbert Diedrich
Participating Students
The following students contributed to the award-winning project:
Luisa Ahrens, Laura Beier, Alina Bischler, Sophie Endres, Maxi Glaser, Kim Griesbach, Kim Heinritz, Amelie Hellebrand, Paulina Krauczukas, Silja Lorenz, Niklas Möller, Minou Melzer, Hannah Pösl, Magdalena Schäfer, Florian Schwarz, Melissa Strekert, Maximilian Völkl, and Eliz Yilmaz.
Award Shortlist: Michelle Likkej and Sophie Doma.
