Designing the posters for the annual Kieler Woche sailing regatta has developed into one of the most prestigious European design competitions since it started in 1948. Since 1959 only five designers or design practices have been invited to take part in the competition, so that participation as such represents a distinction and has proved a crucial milestone in many designers' careers. Winners and participants such as Ruedi Baur, Wim Crouwel, Willy Fleckhaus, Jan Lenica, Josef Muller-Brockmann and Odermatt+Tissi are outstanding European designers. The brief has remained unchanged for 60 years, and offers a unique survey of the development of European graphics.