Communication and design
are my passion
Hello, my name is Steffi W. Neukirchen. As a designer, professor and coach, I help people refine their ideas, give them form and take care of their visibility. I am inspired by what happens when clarity meets creativity and initial thoughts evolve into meaningful concepts. This applies equally to my students and to the independent professionals and solopreneurs I work with.
My approach combines strategic thinking with empathy, analytical inquiry and an openness to new perspectives. I believe in possibilities and in learning from what has worked well to shape what comes next.
After living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for three years, I returned to Germany in 2018 and have been based in Berlin ever since. Since 2021, I am working as a Professor of Media Design at IU International University of Applied Sciences. I am responsible for the foundation courses within the design programmes, guide students in developing cross-media concepts and regularly supervise bachelor’s theses on socially relevant topics.
Beyond that, I am committed to issues of female empowerment. Together with Anne Lücking Mewald, I initiated the international pilot project “explore.define.grow.” for women seeking new professional directions. The project took place in Ho Chi Minh City in February 2019 and in Berlin in spring 2020.
A few facts about me
- More than 25 years of experience developing and delivering complex design projects across both print and digital media
- More than twenty design awards, including the Red Dot Communication Design Award (Essen); shortlistings at the Cyber Lions in Cannes and a nomination for the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Nearly ten years of teaching experience at national and international universities in the fields of design and digital media
- Certified in Systemic Coaching, including professional training at the Berlin International Institute of Synergy (2020–2021)
Why my job is just right for me:
I am curious by nature and love to ask questions. As a designer and also as a professor, every project is a journey, a departure to a new place, a product I don’t know yet, a service that is new to me or an industry I can engage with deeply. An opportunity to think things that didn’t exist before.