In 24 countries, stumbling stones are used to remember the victims of National Socialism. Innsbruck also opened up to its past and developed a participatory process to encourage individuals and groups to set permanent Denkzeichen in Innsbruck's cityscape for individual NS victims, inscribing the stories of the expelled and murdered into public space – they are brought back into the community. 

For us, this initiative also meant prompting reflection, informing, and warning against fascism and war with the Denkzeichen.

In cooperation with historian Andrea Sommerauer and product designer Stefan Radinger, we entered the pitch. Our goal was to develop a well-thought-out, coherent communication idea that would bring the affected victims into the focus of the narrative and give them the attention they were denied.

The intention was to give every victim the chance for a Denkzeichen - regardless of lobbyists, financial background, and the amount of available information.

Moreover, it was important to us to create a culture of remembrance that influences the present and extends into the future. We did not want to only reach those already interested, but also encourage people to THINK who are not already dealing with the events during National Socialism.

Differentiating from already implemented projects like the stumbling stones was important to us in the conception of the DENKZEICHEN itself.

Thinking is active, open, and forward-looking. Thinking emphasizes reflection.

Commemorating is located both in the past and the present, but also points to the future. Commemorating makes a mark.

From our understanding of thinking and commemorating, the project title for us emerged:

DENKZEICHEN.

The cost factor was crucial for the development of our product design by Stefan Radinger. Because for the city's partners as part of the project, who are responsible for the locations for mounting the Denkzeichen in the future, it was meant to be simple and quick to assemble. Also in the production itself, as primarily lamp posts were intended as the surface for mounting.

Our tactile product consisted of four disc elements and a mounting bracket - for attachment to a post (or a wall):

• The outer disc is adorned with a "life sentence" of the remembered person, also depicted in Braille. Accessibility was an important issue for us, and we wanted to make inclusive commemoration possible.
• The middle disc contains the person's name and birthdate as well as information on the place of death.
  

Aside from accessibility, interaction played a significant role and was defined by the designer as a design element. We wanted to make the person touchable.

Understood as an invitation to a change of perspective, we developed a communication idea exclusively dedicated to the commemoration and remembrance of the person.

Words are powerful instruments, so we used them in the communicative transport of the topic, but without becoming pathos-filled or presumptuous. Our intention was to name facts and people, thereby enabling a new perspective on this part of our history.

Our endeavor: A culture of remembrance that moves. In addition to remembrance, to inform and warn so that history does not repeat itself.

• Dialogue Marketing: Inserts in local daily and weekly newspapers and monthly magazines to encourage participation in the participatory process. Placement of search ads in selected media (print/online) in relevant sections.

• Social Media: Use of already established channels such as those of the city of Innsbruck and other partners

• Public Relations: Media information, media talks, media appointments, e.g., placement of the first Denkzeichen, integration of existing initiatives

• Ambient Media: Projection on the building of the last known residence before deportation or murder of the person as a reminder and honor on the day of Innsbruck's liberation from the Nazis, May 3

• Dialogue Formats: Urban Walks (Think-Memorial-Walks), mini-events in Innsbruck neighborhood centers, exhibitions

• Website with information about the project, list of individuals, and street map where the DENKZEICHEN are listed – combined with GoogleMaps