German Design Graduates is a nationwide initiative funded by the German Design Council Foundation to support emerging designers and present design education in Germany. It focuses on graduates in product and industrial design, textile and fashion design, communication design, and digital design, while connecting universities, art academies, companies, and cultural and research organisations.

At the heart of the initiative is the Graduates Platform, an online archive that documents final projects and links them to their institutions. Since the initiative began in 2018, the archive has grown to include more than 2,000 projects; recent additions feature work from over 480 graduates across 28 institutions. German Design Graduates also curates an annual exhibition, giving selected projects visibility and placing them in broader professional and social contexts.

Its programmes include design research training, workshops, exhibitions, and opportunities for exchange between graduates, researchers, practitioners, and partners. Through its network, the initiative helps young designers connect with employers and supports collaboration between education and professional practice.