The Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna is presenting its 20th annual exhibition of the "100 Best Posters" from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This prestigious showcase, which runs until April 12, 2026, provides a comprehensive overview of the most significant graphic design trends from the previous year and highlights the evolution of contemporary poster art.
The exhibition features the winning posters from the "100 Best Posters 24: Germany Austria Switzerland" competition, selected by an international jury from a remarkable 2,509 submissions by 711 designers. Of the 100 chosen works, 34 winning posters and poster series originate from Germany, 63 from Switzerland, and three from Austria. The competition does not establish a specific ranking among the winners, emphasizing the equal merit of all selected works.
This year's selection demonstrates that typography has evolved far beyond its traditional role as merely an information carrier. The exhibition showcases a dynamic blend of hand-drawn typography alongside digital fonts, reflecting the diverse approaches in contemporary graphic design. Artificial intelligence is also leaving an increasingly visible mark on graphic design, leading to surprising and innovative results that challenge traditional design boundaries.
All three Austrian contributions are conceived as series, each consisting of three posters. One notable work comes from Austrian-Chinese graphic designer Tao Lin, a graduate of the Zurich University of the Arts. His series is based on the concept that creativity grows like a living cosmos, exploring themes of artistic evolution and innovation.
Designer Paul Jochum dedicates his series to the traditional wine cellars of Burgenland, known as "Kellerstöckln." His work examines these small structures as they transform from agricultural utility buildings into tourist accommodations, raising important questions about their future role in the region's cultural and economic landscape.
Alina Traun, a student at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, approaches graphic design with humor and an analytical perspective. In her series "Sofort Geld!" (Instant Money!), she deconstructed over 60 motifs from everyday car export business cards and reassembled them as creative reinterpretations, transforming them into roses, cats, and other imaginative forms.
As with every year, MAK permanently acquires the award-winning posters for its collection, ensuring their preservation for future study and appreciation. Following its premiere in Berlin, the exhibition will tour to several international cities including Essen, Seoul, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, and Bern. The exhibition is located at MAK on Stubenring 5 in Vienna's first district, open Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with tickets starting at 16.50 euros.
