Kieler Woche 2027: Sun and Sails – London-based artist designs new poster

The new KiWo design is all about the sun: London-based graphic designer Rejane Dal Bello won the competition for 2027 with a minimalist motif that transforms the space around the sun into a sail. It is intended to convey warmth, energy and community, as well as wind, weather and sailing.

Sun, sailing, summer

Kiel Week will take place from 19 to 27 June 2027. Its new visual identity features clean lines and a vibrant orange colour scheme. The design eschews a narrative visual style and instead brings together the defining elements of the event in a single symbol: the sun and sails, the summer festival and the regatta course.

The jury was won over by this dual interpretation. Movement and sails symbolise international competitions on the water, whilst warmth and sunshine evoke encounters and shared celebrations on land. The jury explained that the design remains abstract yet easily understandable. Dal Bello prevailed over 14 other entries.

More than just a poster

The *Kieler Woche* design must be capable of far more than simply working on a poster. The design must remain recognisable throughout the whole year and be adaptable for use on banners, clothing, medals, pins, stamps and beach chairs. Since 1974, this versatility has been a mandatory part of the competition brief.

This is precisely why the designs regularly spark debate. Design is a matter of taste. At the same time, a design must work across a wide range of formats and capture the character of one of Europe’s largest sailing events. YACHT magazine describes the history and significance of the competition in its article on the Iconic ‘Kieler Woche’ poster.

An international competition with a long history

Since 1959, the design has been selected through an international invitational competition; even receiving an invitation is regarded as an honour within the design industry. Five design studios and the Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts developed their proposals for 2027. In June, the designers were guests on the fjord to experience Kiel Week both on the water and on land. The jury reached its decision on 4 September 2026.

The panel brings together a range of perspectives: four expert judges, four specialist judges and one representative of the Kiel public will assess the designs. Designers from Kiel have also won the competition in the past, most recently in 2000.

Rejane Dal Bello runs a studio in London and has been working in graphic design and branding for many years. She also teaches typography at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences and gives workshops and lectures internationally. Her work has been exhibited worldwide and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

All designs are on display at the town hall and online

All 15 competition entries will be on display from Monday 7 September 2026 to Wednesday 30 September 2026 in the entrance hall of Kiel Town Hall, Fleethörn 9. It is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm. An overview is also available on the Kiel Week design page.

Do you think the clean, minimalist design captures the spirit of Kiel Week – or would you expect more maritime detail from the poster?