The Weltformat Graphic Design Festival is an annual event held in Lucerne since 2009. Every year in early October, the city hosts numerous exhibitions and events focusing on national and international graphic design. The festival offers a vibrant platform for exchange, education and networking, for graphic designers, students and the interested public alike.

Since 2025, the festival has been under the artistic and organisational direction of Svenja Kolly, Michèle Räz and Mia Gujer. They are supported by Cinzia Parravicini, who runs the festival office.

The theme for the 2026 festival is ‘new formats’. It considers what happens when formats are not viewed as fixed parameters, but as something that can be questioned, transformed or reimagined. What happens when paper is no longer rectangular, when printing not only reproduces but also surprises, or when design finds new spaces, materials and forms? Weltformat 2026 explores the moments when graphic design steps outside its usual boundaries, thereby giving rise to new perspectives on design and forms of collaboration.

Q&A on the 2026 edition:

Will the Newcomer Award continue?
The Newcomer Award remains on hold for the time being. At the same time, we remain open to the possibility of reviving it in the coming years, either in its current form or as a new format. We will share the latest information on this on our website and on social media.

Will Weltformat magazine continue?
Weltformat magazine will also be on hold in 2026. Previous issues will remain available – and we’re leaving open the question of what happens next.

What events can I expect in 2026?
Once again, there will be exhibitions, workshops, design talks, design check-ins, Show & Tell, and the Graphic Design Fair. Up-to-date information is available on the website and on Instagram.

How can I support Weltformat?
Weltformat relies on a great deal of voluntary work, dedication and passion. You can support us by dropping by, bringing friends along, spreading the word about the festival, or getting involved as a volunteer, patron, sponsor or partner.

What does the future hold for Weltformat?
Weltformat is continuing and evolving step by step. The festival will remain a vibrant hub for exchange, education and networking for designers, students, educational and cultural institutions, and anyone interested in graphic design. Current formats will remain part of the festival, while also creating space for new ideas, collaborations and perspectives. The festival will remain a vibrant hub for exchange, education and networking for designers, students, educational and cultural institutions, and anyone interested in graphic design. Current formats will remain part of the festival, while also creating space for new ideas, collaborations and perspectives.

Thanks to all our partners:

Fuka Fonds Luzern, LuzernPlus, Canton of Zug, Canton of Schwyz, Canton of Uri, Migros Kulturprozent Luzern, Casimir Eigensatz Stiftung,  APG | SGA, Fachklasse Grafik FMZ Luzern, von Ah Druck, Modul Kulturwerbung, Lézard Graphique, 100 Beste Plakate e.V, Ahoi, Kornschütte, Kunsthalle Luzern, Stiftung Buchkunst, Sonderegger, Swiss Typefaces, Curaprox, ABC Dinamo, Rivet Maté, Eichhof, Bendito