Interview with bioLogic team

The Tangible Media Group, led by Professor Hiroshi Ishii, explores the Tangible Bits & Radical Atoms visions to seamlessly couple the dual world of bits and atoms by giving dynamic physical form to digital information and computation.

Design has many aspects for me. It can be a method to understand problems and create solutions and new concepts but also a process of shaping your ideas to make them reality.

The beauty of my work is that each project is a new challenge not comparable to the previous.

Nature is for me still unbeaten in it’s design. It combines complexity, functionality and simplicity.

During my studies I worked at CuldeSac in Valencia an interdisciplinary Design Studio. That was my first contact with the real market. But the other team-members have all different experiences with a big variety of companies and markets.

I always choose the material, platform and technology based on what is the best solution for the project. Each material has it’s own beauty. Each technology it’s own purpose and each platform it’s own target group.

After exchanging with an inspiring person that opens up new perspectives for me in conversations.

Each stage of a project needs a different focus and method. I enjoy being involved in the whole process of a project.

Joy, excitement, fear, passion

Release as it is the point to start a new journey

If it works, sustainable and longterm

I am looking at the depth of research, if the person understands the context or challenge right, the originality of the concept, it’s sustainability and quality of fabrication. The best design is minimal but has complexity behind it.

A designer has to consider the impact of his product in society, economy and ecology.

There are many futures because there are many different types of designers.
But I do see myself in a field of design where disciplines blur and the designer takes the role of a communicator between the fields to bring them together and create new fields and products through this fusion.

The last exhibition was at the 30th Anniversary of the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, USA and we are looking forward to exhibit bioLogic at the A Design Award.

The world around us. The people around me. There is everywhere inspiration around when you walk around with open eyes and an open mind.

I am influenced by my studies at the Bauhaus. Form follows function. But my style has also influences by all my different experiences I made during my life. But everybody of the biologic team has it’s own style.

I am currently living in London and Cambridge (UK) but lived at many places around the world. London is a very vibrant and international capitol and gives many opportunities for my type of work. Most of the other team members are currently finishing their studies at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge (US). Cambridge and especially the MIT Media Lab is a very intellectual and inspiring place that often feels like that even impossible gets possible.

We often start collaborations that come out of a research the companies get interested in and want to investigate and take part in. Each collaboration is different regarding to the project.

I think there is no suggestion for how to work with a designer in particular. But in more general I think it is important that there is enough exchange happening between the different disciplines. Communication is the key.

Exploration, Experimentation, Ideation, Design, Communication

The old camera collection of my grandfather and the toy collection of my mother and her brothers when they were children

Each day is different to the other.

Explore, get out of your comfort zone, learn how to communicate your insights and thoughts and share them.

For me design is a destiny and part of my life. One positive and negative aspect is that you are constantly in motion.

Be open for criticism.

Lateral thinking and curiosity

My toolbox is expanding with each project.

Being wise with decision making of what are important tasks and what are secondary ones but it is important to take breaks to reflect.

That depends on the object and project.

bioLogic was for me the most important job experience I made. It helped me to reach a new level of skill sets and influenced my design heavily.

I like most the change between the different challenges a project brings.

I am working currently as a Post Doc Researcher / Designer at Microsoft Research and most of the other team members are currently finalizing their studies.

I enjoy working in a team because every good project needs a good variety of skill sets.

People can contact us best at biologic@media.mit.edu